The AT Protocol Community Aims to Decentralize the Web and Empower Users

The ATmosphere Conference, held in Seattle, gathered over 150 developers, engineers, and open-source advocates working with the AT Protocol (atproto), the decentralized technology behind Bluesky. The event focused on using atproto to create social networks and online services that return control to users, moving away from the dominance of tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta. Speakers, including Bluesky CEO Jay Graber and OAuth co-author Blaine Cook, reflected on past failures in decentralization efforts and how to avoid repeating mistakes.

Participants discussed atproto’s potential for community building, identity authentication, and safe online spaces, highlighting projects like BlackSky and Northsky Social, which focus on creating safer digital environments for marginalized communities. The conference underscored the challenges of funding and sustaining these decentralized platforms while addressing issues of moderation and inclusivity.

Despite skepticism due to previous failures in decentralization, attendees expressed optimism about reshaping the web’s future. The event concluded with a sense of urgency and commitment to continuing collaboration, with many developers immediately beginning work on new projects to advance the decentralized social web.