Personalizing Autonomous Agents for Cardano Governance

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Kuber Team (Sandip Pandey)

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will extend personalized autonomous agents to simulate governance scenarios, improving Cardano's testing framework and decision-making processes.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Apache License 2.0

[METADATA] Horizons

Governance

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We perceive the problem as an opportunity to enhance and innovate upon Cardano’s governance testing methodologies. While existing tools offer a solid foundation, they do not fully capture the richness of real-world governance scenarios under the CIP-1694 framework. By introducing personalized autonomous agents capable of making sensible and adaptive decisions, we aim to elevate the testing environment to more accurately reflect the complexities of governance dynamics. This enhancement allows us to explore a wider range of governance scenarios, understand stakeholder interactions more deeply, and improve the overall effectiveness of the governance process.

Our approach involves developing these personalized agents to represent various network participants—such as ADA holders and DReps—with unique decision-making behaviors and preferences. By simulating diverse governance situations, we provide valuable insights into how different proposals might influence the community and the network. This innovative enhancement to the testing framework enables stakeholders to make more informed decisions and contributes to a more resilient and inclusive governance model.

Our project will engage the Cardano development community, governance participants, and researchers interested in blockchain governance dynamics. By offering a sophisticated simulation tool, we empower these stakeholders to better understand the potential outcomes of various governance decisions and strategies.

To demonstrate our impact, we will showcase the variety and depth of governance scenarios simulated and the insights gained from these simulations. We will extend our comprehensive dashboard that visualizes agent interactions and governance outcomes, providing transparent and actionable data for the community. This will help anticipate potential challenges and opportunities within the governance process.

What makes our solution unique is the innovative personalization of autonomous agents. Unlike traditional testing tools, our agents will emulate complex, human-like decision-making processes, incorporating individual motivations, risk tolerances, and strategic considerations. This unique approach benefits the Cardano ecosystem by deepening the understanding of governance dynamics, fostering more effective and transparent decision-making, and strengthening the network's adaptability and resilience.

This project is important for Cardano because it enhances the existing governance testing capabilities, aligning with the community's commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. By enriching the simulation of governance scenarios, we contribute to developing a governance system that is robust, inclusive, and reflective of the diverse perspectives within the Cardano community.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Impact on the Cardano Community:

Our project will positively impact the wider Cardano community by enhancing the robustness and effectiveness of Cardano's governance processes. By developing personalized autonomous agents capable of making sensible and adaptive decisions, we will provide a more realistic simulation environment for governance scenarios under the CIP-1694 framework. This will enable stakeholders to better understand potential outcomes, leading to more informed and resilient governance decisions.

Value to the Cardano Community:

• Enhanced Governance Understanding: Our simulations will offer insights into governance dynamics, helping stakeholders anticipate how different proposals might affect the community.
• Improved Decision-Making: By exploring a wide range of scenarios, we empower DReps and ADA holders to make more informed decisions that reflect the community's diverse perspectives.
• Innovation in Testing Tools: Introducing personalized agents sets a new standard for governance testing within the blockchain space, highlighting Cardano's commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

Measuring Impact:

We will measure the impact of our project through both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

• Quantitative Metrics:
• Number of unique governance scenarios simulated.
• Diversity and complexity of agent decision-making behaviors modeled.
• Engagement levels, such as the number of community members utilizing the simulation tools.
• Qualitative Metrics:
• Feedback from stakeholders on the usefulness and insights provided by the simulations.
• Case studies where simulations have directly influenced governance strategies or decisions.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Open-Source Release: All code, simulation frameworks, and tools developed will be released as open-source software, allowing developers and researchers to build upon and enhance our work.
• Community Reports: We will publish reports and analysis of our findings, making them accessible to the entire Cardano community.
• Interactive Dashboard: A comprehensive dashboard visualizing agent behaviors and governance outcomes will be made available, providing transparent insights and fostering community engagement.
• Workshops and Webinars: We plan to host educational sessions to demonstrate how to use the simulation tools effectively, encouraging widespread adoption and collaboration.

By sharing our outputs openly and engaging with the community, we aim to create a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and strengthens Cardano's governance. Our project's success will not only provide immediate benefits but also lay the groundwork for ongoing enhancements to the ecosystem's governance capabilities.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Capability & Feasibility

We believe we're the right team to deliver this project, thanks to our strong background in Cardano development and our commitment to transparency.

Our Experience

We've successfully worked on several projects within the Cardano ecosystem:

1. KuberIDE: A browser-based IDE for writing and testing Plutus smart contracts, which has helped developers streamline their workflow.
2. Cardano Mempool Explorer: Funded through Catalyst, this tool allows users to monitor unconfirmed transactions. We completed it successfully, and it was well-received by the community.
3. GovTool: A governance tool designed to enhance community engagement and improve decision-making processes within Cardano's governance framework.
4. Chang Hard Fork Testing: We contributed to testing the Chang hard fork, ensuring a smooth transition and network stability during this critical update.

We've also managed two Catalyst-funded proposals:

• Mempool Explorer: Completed with all deliverables met.
• Cardano Autonomous Testing: Nearing completion.

Why We're a Good Fit

1. Technical Expertise: Our deep understanding of Cardano's architecture and Plutus smart contracts equips us to develop personalized autonomous agents for governance testing.
2. Proven Track Record: Our history of delivering high-quality projects within Cardano shows we can execute this proposal effectively.
3. Transparency and Open Source: We make all our outputs open source, allowing the community to access, review, and contribute to our work. This openness fosters trust and collaboration.

Validating Feasibility

1. Proof of Concept: We'll start by creating a proof of concept to demonstrate that personalized autonomous agents can function effectively in governance scenarios.
2. Pilot Testing: We'll run simulations on Cardano's testnet to validate the agents' decision-making abilities in various governance situations.
3. Community Engagement: We'll involve the Cardano community—developers, DReps, and ADA holders—to gather feedback and ensure our agents accurately represent diverse perspectives.

In Summary

We're confident in our ability to deliver this project successfully. Our technical skills, proven experience, and dedication to transparency make us well-suited for this initiative. By focusing on development and maintaining open-source practices, we'll provide valuable tools that enhance Cardano's governance testing capabilities, benefiting the entire community and fostering innovation.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Planning and Research

• Duration: Month 1
• Budget: 10,000 ADA

A: Milestone Outputs

• Research and Analysis:
• Conduct in-depth research on personalized agent behaviors and decision-making processes in governance scenarios.
• Analyze current governance testing frameworks to identify gaps for enhancement.
• Project Planning:
• Develop a detailed project plan with timelines, task allocation, and resource requirements.
• Identify specific governance scenarios to simulate under the CIP-1694 framework.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Completion of research on personalized agents and governance testing methodologies.
• Detailed project plan with clear timelines, tasks, and resource allocation.
• Defined governance scenarios for simulation.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Research report summarizing findings.
• Published project plan outlining tasks and timelines.
• List of governance scenarios identified for future simulations.

Milestone 2: Development of Personalized Autonomous Agents

• Duration: Months 2-3
• Budget: 60,000 ADA (includes LLM costs of 20,000 ADA)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Agent Development:
• Develop autonomous agents capable of making adaptive decisions in governance scenarios.
• Integrate Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance agents’ decision-making capabilities.
• Code and Documentation:
• Initial versions of agents created, simulating various network participants such as ADA holders and DReps.
• Comprehensive documentation of agent design, algorithms, and architecture.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Fully functional autonomous agents demonstrating adaptive behavior in simulated governance environments.
• Successful integration of LLMs for enhanced decision-making.
• Detailed documentation of the agent development process.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Open-source release of agent code and documentation.
• Test reports showcasing agent decision-making in preliminary governance scenarios.
• 
  
• Video demo of agents interacting in simulated governance situations.

Milestone 3: Testing and Validation

• Duration: Months 4-5
• Budget: 10,000 ADA

A: Milestone Outputs

• Scenario Testing:
• Simulate a range of governance scenarios using the personalized agents, including high-complexity and high-load conditions.
• Gather data on agent behaviors, performance, and decision-making processes.
• Data Analysis:
• Analyze performance data and agent decisions to identify insights into governance dynamics.
• Refinements:
• Refine agents and decision-making algorithms based on testing outcomes.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Completion of diverse scenario simulations reflecting real-world governance complexities.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Detailed simulation reports, outlining agent behaviors and outcomes.
• Updated open-source code with refinements applied.

Final Milestone: Project Close-out and Reporting

• Duration: Month 6
• Budget: 20,000 ADA

A: Milestone Outputs

• Final Reporting:
• Complete a comprehensive project close-out report summarizing milestones, outcomes, and lessons learned.
• Project Video:
• Produce a video showcasing the key achievements of the project, including agent demonstrations and insights from simulations.
• Open-Source Release:
• Finalize the release of all project materials, including code, documentation, and findings, under an open-source license.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Final report fully documents the project’s progress, outcomes, and recommendations.
• A video produced and shared with the community.
• All materials made publicly available and easily accessible in an open-source format.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Public access to the final report and published online.
• Project video shared on platforms like YouTube and within the Cardano community.
• Links to repositories and open-source code and materials.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Project Team and Roles

The Kuber Team is made up of experienced developers and project managers with a deep understanding of the Cardano ecosystem. Below is a breakdown of the core team members and their roles in the project:

Sandip Pandey

Main Proposer and Project Manager

• Role: Oversees both the technical and management aspects of the project, ensuring milestones are met on time and resources are properly allocated. He will support the team in coordinating project deliverables and handling community engagement.
• Github: https://github.com/spannercode
• Previous Involvement: Plutus Pioneer Program, Hard Fork Testing (Vasil & Chang), GovTool Testing, Mempool Explorer, Cardano Autonomous Agent Testing, Kuber IDE.

Sital Nagarkoti

Lead Fullstack Developer for Cardano Autonomous Agent Testing

• Role: Handles frontend and backend development tasks, ensuring the integration is user-friendly and supports DApp developers efficiently.
• Github: https://github.com/Sital999
• Previous Involvement: Cardano Autonomous Agents Testing, Kuber IDE, BetterCollected.

Sudip Bhattarai

Lead Backend and Infrastructure Engineer

• Role: Leads the backend development and manages infrastructure setup, including Cardano node, dbsync, and testing environments.
• Github: https://github.com/mesudip
• Previous Involvement: Plutus Pioneer Program, Hard Fork Testing (Vasil & Chang), GovTool Testing, Mempool Explorer, Cardano Autonomous Agent Testing, Kuber IDE.

Nabin Pokharel

Senior Software Developer

• Role: Assists in backend development, focusing on Plutus smart contract interactions and supporting infrastructure.
• Github: https://github.com/nabinpkl
• Previous Involvement: Plutus Pioneer Program, Hard Fork Testing (Vasil & Chang), Governance Action Loader, Mempool Explorer, Kuber IDE.

Additional Team Members

Beyond the core team, we have an in-house team of 9 fullstack developers who will be involved as needed, depending on the scope of the project and the number of proposals funded. Each team member brings a unique set of skills to ensure that the project is completed on time and to a high standard.

We have already engaged all team members and discussed the project's scope, ensuring their availability and commitment to its success if the project is funded. With their combined experience in previous Cardano projects and hard fork testing, we are confident in our ability to deliver the project with the necessary expertise and resources.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

BUDGET & COSTS

Total Funding Requested: 100,000 ADA

Here is the detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the proposed work:

Milestone 1: Planning and Research (10,000 ADA)

• Research & Analysis
• Deep dive into governance testing methods, agent personalization research, and decision-making models.
• PoC of the integration of LLM and plan for integration in large scale
• Project Planning
• Detailed project plan development, including governance scenarios to test.

Milestone 2: Development of Personalized Autonomous Agents (60,000 ADA)

• Development (60,000 ADA)
• Creation of personalized autonomous agents capable of adaptive decision-making in governance scenarios.
• Focus on coding, algorithm development, and integration with the Cardano governance model.

Milestone 3: Testing and Validation (10,000 ADA)

• Scenario Simulations (6,000 ADA)
• Execution of governance scenario simulations on Cardano testnets.
• Testing of various governance dynamics such as high-stress conditions and complex proposal decisions.

Milestone 4: Project Close-out and Reporting and LLM Costs (20,000 ADA)

• Final Reporting
• Completion of the project close-out report, summarizing milestones, results, and key insights for the community.
• Project Video
• Production of a video showcasing the project’s outcomes, governance simulations, and the agents’ decision-making processes.
• Open-Source Release
• Finalizing and open-sourcing all code, documentation, and analysis.
• Includes setting up public repositories, creating easy-to-follow documentation, and maintaining an online dashboard to showcase results.

Note: The cost is included here for the LLM costs to cover the model fees and not specifically for the Project close out. This is because if the proposal is funded the funding is paid out after the completion of the milestone and to have the community test the fully functioning AI integration, the costs will be there for the LLM model fees.

Total Budget Overview

• Planning and Research: 10,000 ADA
• Development and LLM Integration: 60,000 ADA
• Testing and Validation: 10,000 ADA
• Project Close-out and LLM costs: 20,000 ADA

Notes:

• All project outputs, including code, documentation, and insights, will be released as open-source. This ensures complete transparency and community participation, and it allows others to build on our work.
• The project will be self-contained within the requested 100,000 ADA. If additional funding is required for further developments, we will explore future Catalyst funding rounds or other sources.

This cost breakdown ensures that every aspect of the project is accounted for, from development to community engagement, while maintaining transparency and responsible fund management.

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

VALUE FOR MONEY

The requested 100,000 ADA offers strong value for the Cardano ecosystem by delivering a much-needed enhancement to governance testing. Here’s why:

1. High-Impact Solution

We are developing personalized autonomous agents to simulate complex governance scenarios under CIP-1694. This will improve decision-making and governance processes. The project’s open-source nature ensures long-term value for the community, allowing others to build on it.

2. Community Engagement and Transparency

We will engage the community through workshops and webinars, ensuring that the project is aligned with ecosystem needs. The outputs, including all code and documentation, will be open-source, providing transparency and encouraging collaboration.

3. Long-Term Benefits

The personalized agents can be used not only for current governance models but for future mechanisms and even Catalyst voting simulations. This scalability ensures ongoing value.

Conclusion

This budget efficiently supports the development of innovative, scalable governance testing tools that will benefit Cardano long-term. The project’s open-source and collaborative approach ensures broad and lasting impact.