Cardano AI Aggregator

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

UnboundedMarket Team

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

156000

[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 empower Cardano users to explore a rich collection of AI models directly from within the browser, using Ada for microtransactions. The outputs can be saved on the blockchain, ensuring immutability.

[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?

No

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

For the AI Exploration Interface project, we strategically balance transparency and competitive advantage. Although we embrace the principle of openness where feasible, components like the frontend will remain proprietary to safeguard our unique technology and maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace. This approach ensures the long-term success and sustainability of the platform within the broader ecosystem.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Motivation:

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, there is a significant demand from both businesses and individuals to integrate AI models into their products or utilize them for personal enhancement. Currently, there is no dedicated platform that allows users to explore and test a variety of AI models directly within their browser for specific use cases. To address this gap, we propose the development of an AI exploration interface. This platform will enable blockchain users to access and utilize AI models directly through their web browser and engage in microtransactions using Ada to pay as they use. 

Product:

Our goal is to create a web-based application that facilitates seamless interaction with AI technologies:

Model Exploration: Users will be able to browse through a curated list of popular AI models, allowing them to choose the best fit for their needs.

Direct Testing and Application: The platform will enable users to test different models directly from their browser and apply the model outputs in various ways, such as generating digital assets like NFTs.

Microtransaction-Enabled Payments: The utilization of AI models will be governed by a microtransaction system using Ada, which supports a pay-as-you-use model. This ensures that users pay only for what they use, enhancing affordability and accessibility.

Continuous Development: The platform will regularly update to include new demo applications and AI models, keeping it at the cutting edge of technology.

Initial MVP:

To demonstrate the practicality of our concept, we have developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) focused on image generation. With our MVP users can generate images based on their specifications and immediately pay for their creation. Furthermore, they can utilize these images to create and manage NFT collections, which can be sent directly to their digital wallets.

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

This platform not only fills a crucial market gap but also fosters an environment of innovation and practical application of AI in everyday use. By lowering the barriers to AI access and integrating with the Cardano blockchain for secure transactions, we position our solution as a pioneering tool in the intersection of AI and blockchain technology. This initiative will enhance Cardano's reputation as a leader in adopting and promoting cutting-edge technologies that are accessible to a broad user base.

[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?

Team of Experts

Our team consists of four AI experts and blockchain enthusiasts with proven track records in academia and crypto development and up to 8 years of experience in relevant fields. Our work-philosophy is best described by:

Open: Achievements and work artifacts are communicated and published on a regular basis.

 

Transparent: Using clear documentation and academic rigor, we build trust and accountability. Whenever appropriate, we are happy to discuss our work with the academic community at top-tier blockchain and AI conferences around the globe.

Collaborative: Through collaboration with established industry-peers from our earlier blockchain ventures, and from our community we gain regular feedback to continuously improve and adjust where required.

Prototype Availability

Additionally, we have already launched a functional prototype of our AI model exploration interface, specifically designed for image models. This interface allows model outputs to be directly minted as NFTs, documenting insights on the blockchain and facilitating sharing within the Cardano community: https://explore.unbounded.market/

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

Outputs: Conduct technical research to determine the requirements for upscaling the MVP to a full-fledged decentralized application.

Acceptance Criteria: Complete development specification sheet highlighting features needed for a decentralized AI Exploration Interface and the required next actions.

Evidence: Research report in PDF form uploaded to GitHub + announcement on X unboundedMarket channel

Outputs: Complete the UI & UX design for the Exploration Interface, resulting in the full dApp frontend mockup.

Acceptance Criteria: Finalized design documents and diagrams approved by the project team.

Evidence: Design documents depicting the wireframe and user interface mockups

Outputs: Evolving the MVP to a full demo application, integrating selected AI models.

Acceptance Criteria: Functional demonstrator website implementing the frontend mockup and a small set of candidate AI models.

Evidence: a demo version of the platform available for public access.

Outputs: Scaling up the beta application - adopting more AI models across various domains and integrating further on-chain use-cases.

Acceptance Criteria: The beta application showed significant growth in model variety.

Evidence: A project close-out report outlining the advancements of the MVP towards a full-fledged product. Announcement on the X UnboundedMarket channel.

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

Timo is a visionary entrepreneur with a deep expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, and cloud engineering. He holds a Master’s degree in Robotics with a focus on AI applications and co-founded an AI-driven agricultural startup. Timo has published his work at a major conference, demonstrating his ability to merge academic research with real-world solutions. Timo is driven by his passion to unlock the pioneering potential in bringing AI solutions to the blockchain.

Samy is a professional with five years of blockchain development experience and nearly eight years in AI and machine learning. As a developer and researcher, Samy has worked on several DeFi protocols and published peer-reviewed articles in top-tier AI journals and conferences.

Chris is a seasoned software developer and entrepreneur, boasting over four years of specialized experience in blockchain and AI technologies. His in-depth research in AI and blockchain testifies his comprehensive knowledge of the DeFi ecosystem, establishing him as a knowledgeable figure within the community.

Phil is a former AI & Data scientist with a proven academic track record and several years of industrial experience. His professional career revolved around the robotics industry, where he successfully demonstrated the use of AI to tackle challenging problems. As a crypto-enthusiast, he now seeks to contribute to the next wave of blockchain innovation.

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

Project Management & Development Operations: Estimated Cost Overall 8,000 ADA

Website UI / UX Design: 

• UX operations for features & usage flow: 5,000 ADA 
• UI Designer for the Web Interface: 20,000 ADA

Website Development (including Reward System, Mockup, MVP and Cardano Integration)

• Frontend Developer Salaries: 30,000 ADA
• Backend Developer Salaries: 55,000 ADA
• Blockchain Developer Salaries: 15,000 ADA
• Compute Infrastructure: 15,000 ADA

Documentation: 3,000 ADA

Market Material and Public Relations: 5,000 ADA

Overall budget required: 156.000 ADA

This budget is carefully planned to cover the principal costs regarding development operations.

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

Value for Money:

The platform offers direct browser access to a diverse array of AI models, significantly benefiting both individual users and developers within the Cardano ecosystem. Users can easily explore different AI technologies, while developers have a powerful tool to select the most suitable models for their decentralized applications. This accessibility supports experimentation and optimization, enhancing the developmental landscape.

Furthermore, the platform is designed to be dynamically extensible, continuously integrating new AI models and incorporating future dApps directly. This ensures it remains cutting-edge, consistently providing innovative tools to the community. Leveraging Ada for microtransactions on the platform increases transaction volume, which drives greater activity and vitality in the Cardano ecosystem.

Additionally, the use of Ada enables a game-changing payment model that preserves user privacy. Unlike traditional systems that require preloading funds into accounts managed by large corporations, our platform allows for on-demand, private transactions without excessive personal data disclosure. This approach not only simplifies the user experience but also enhances security and privacy, making it a compelling addition to the Cardano blockchain infrastructure.

Cost Justification:

The budget allocation of 125,000 ADA for development team salaries is crucial to attract skilled professionals necessary for integrating AI with blockchain, reflecting competitive rates for such specialized skills. An investment of 15,000 ADA in compute infrastructure ensures the platform can handle the demands of AI processing and blockchain transactions for the time of development, critical for fast progress. Additionally, 8,000 ADA allocated towards documentation, market materials, and public relations supports user education, platform promotion, and broader tech community engagement, driving growth and adoption within the Cardano ecosystem.