In the Ethereum blockchain, there's a single, canonical computer called the Ethereum Virtual Machine, or the EVM, whose state everyone on the Ethereum network agrees on. Everyone who participates in the Ethereum blockchain (nodes) keeps a copy of the current state of this specific computer. Any participant can broadcast and send a request for this computer to perform arbitrary computations. Whenever such a request is sent, other actors in the network can verify, validate and proceed with this specific computation. This specific execution causes a state change in the EVM, which is committed and propagated throughout the network.