Blockchain-Enabled AI Collaboration via Quatern.ai

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Quatern.ai Labs

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

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

5

[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 create Quatern.ai, a Cardano-based platform for decentralized AI, utilizing blockchain to ensure transparency, security, and collaborative model deployment.

[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

Quatern.ai will be fully open-source, licensed under the MIT License, ensuring accessibility and collaborative development. The entire platform, including all AI model contributions and blockchain integrations, will be available in our public GitHub repository throughout the project's lifecycle.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Quatern.ai revolutionizes AI development by combining the predictions of individual models into a powerful ensemble, rewarding each model according to its contribution to the overall performance. This approach not only maximizes the effectiveness of the AI solutions but also ensures that developers can keep their model architectures private, fostering innovation and security. Simultaneously, developers have a new avenue to monetize their models, while users benefit from improved performance and enhanced decentralization.

Our platform utilizes the Cardano blockchain to facilitate this decentralized approach, which addresses critical issues such as power concentration, privacy risks, and lack of transparency inherent in centralized AI systems. By leveraging blockchain, we ensure that the integration and compensation processes are transparent and secure, without compromising the proprietary nature of individual AI models.

The operational framework of Quatern.ai includes a structured cycle of challenge proposals, competitive development phases, and rigorous evaluations. This cycle not only ensures continual improvement and adaptation of AI models to real-world applications but also maintains a high standard of integrity and accountability in model development.

Industries such as healthcare, finance, and agriculture stand to benefit significantly from our platform, where they can utilize more accurate and reliable AI-driven solutions. By democratizing AI development and making high-quality models accessible on a global scale, Quatern.ai aligns with Cardano’s mission of promoting a transparent, secure, and equitable digital future.

For details on our envisioned approach, we refer to our comprehensive whitepaper.

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

Quatern.ai will significantly enhance the utility and adoption of the Cardano blockchain by introducing a new application for decentralized AI. This project will demonstrate the versatility and robustness of Cardano’s smart contract platform, showcasing its capacity to handle complex, secure, and transparent operations in AI development.

Impact Measurement:

1. Quantitative Metrics: We will track the number of AI models developed and deployed on Quatern.ai, the diversity and activity levels of community engagement, and the usage statistics of our AI solutions.
2. Qualitative Feedback: Regular surveys and feedback loops with our users and developers to assess satisfaction and gather suggestions for improvements.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Community Engagement: We will actively engage with the Cardano community through forums, social media, and AMAs (Ask Me Anything sessions) to keep them updated and involved in the project’s progress and developments.
• Open Access: All code, development tools, and learning resources will be available on our GitHub repository under an MIT License, promoting transparency and allowing unlimited access.
• Collaborations and Partnerships: We will seek partnerships within the Cardano ecosystem to explore new use cases and expand the platform’s capabilities and reach.
• Documentation and Reporting: Comprehensive documentation and regular progress reports will be published, detailing achievements, challenges, and insights gained.

This approach ensures that the Cardano community not only benefits from the technological advancements brought by Quatern.ai but also has a stake in shaping its development and success.

[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?

Our team comprises experienced AI researchers, blockchain developers, and project managers who have successfully developed and deployed similar technology projects. Our technical expertise is complemented by a deep understanding of the Cardano ecosystem, ensuring that our project aligns with its technological and community standards.

Capability Evidence:

1. Past Projects: Members of our team have been involved in significant projects involving AI and blockchain integration, which have been recognized in academic and industry circles.
2. Technical Expertise: Our developers are proficient in Cardano’s Plutus programming language, and our AI specialists have a track record of contributing to open-source AI projects.

Feasibility and Trust:

• Prototyping and Testing: We will start with a prototype to validate the technical feasibility of our AI models on the Cardano blockchain. This phase will include stress tests and security audits to ensure robustness and security.
• Milestone-Based Funding: Funding will be managed based on predefined milestones. Each milestone will have specific, measurable objectives, and funds will be released upon achieving these goals. This ensures transparency and accountability in fund management.
• Regular Updates and Community Involvement: We will maintain high levels of transparency by providing regular updates through community forums, development blogs, and live Q&A sessions. This allows continuous community oversight and feedback.

Validation Steps:

1. Peer Reviews: Regular peer reviews and audits by external experts to validate our development process and outputs.
2. Community Testing: Open beta testing phases involving community members to ensure the system works as intended and gathers user feedback for improvements.

By adhering to these protocols, we ensure that the project is delivered with a high level of trust and accountability, demonstrating our commitment to the success and sustainability of Quatern.ai on the Cardano platform.

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

Milestone 1: Platform Design and Initial Development

A: Milestone Outputs

• Detailed technical specifications for the Quatern.ai platform.
• Completion of the foundational blockchain contracts and initial AI model integration framework.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Technical specifications must detail all core functionalities, including smart contract operations, AI model integration processes, and initial security features.
• Blockchain contracts must be drafted with preliminary tests showing functional integrity.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Documentation of the technical specifications published in the project repository.
• Code commits for the initial blockchain contracts with test results on a development network.

Milestone 2: Prototype Development and Community Testing

A: Milestone Outputs

• A working prototype of the Quatern.ai platform developed and deployed on a test network.
• Initial community testing phase launched to gather user feedback.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• The prototype must demonstrate basic functionality of decentralized AI model contributions and interactions through Cardano blockchain.
• Successful engagement with at least 100 users from the community for testing and feedback.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Deployment logs and user access logs from the test network.
• Compiled feedback and usage data from the community testers, along with adjustments made based on this feedback.

Milestone 3: Security Audit and Final Adjustments

A: Milestone Outputs

• Comprehensive security audit of the entire Quatern.ai platform.
• Implementation of security enhancements and final platform adjustments before mainnet deployment.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• The security audit must identify no critical issues, and all major issues must be resolved.
• The platform must meet all predefined performance and security benchmarks in final testing.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Final audit report from a recognized third-party security firm.
• Change logs and performance test results demonstrating the resolution of issues and readiness for deployment.

Final Milestone: Mainnet Launch and Marketing Roll-out

A: Milestone Outputs

• Official launch of Quatern.ai on the Cardano mainnet.
• Execution of initial marketing campaigns to promote platform adoption.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Successful deployment of Quatern.ai on Cardano mainnet with all functionalities active and operational.
• Achievement of initial user engagement targets as set out in the marketing plan.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Deployment verification report and operational logs from the mainnet.
• Marketing campaign reports and analytics showing reach and engagement metrics.

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

The Quatern.ai project team consists of highly skilled developers and researchers with deep expertise in both blockchain technology and artificial intelligence. Our team members have robust backgrounds in their respective fields, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the project's challenges:

• Max - Lead Developer: Specializes in blockchain architecture and smart contract development on the Cardano platform.
• Neville - AI Specialist: Focuses on the development and integration of AI models within decentralized environments.
• Sarah - Project Manager: Oversees the project timeline, stakeholder engagement, and ensures milestones are met on schedule.

We are actively engaged with potential additional team members who possess specific skills in advanced AI research and decentralized application deployment to enhance our project capabilities.

All team members are in continuous communication through platforms like Discord and Telegram, ensuring readiness and commitment to the project. Preliminary agreements and willingness to participate have been confirmed, securing the necessary human resources to commence the project upon funding approval.

This setup guarantees a strong alignment with the project’s technical requirements and strategic goals, ensuring successful execution and delivery.

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

For a comprehensive cost breakdown of the Quatern.ai project, aligning with a total budget of 98,000 ADA, consider the following allocation across various project stages and needs:

1. Blockchain Development and AI Integration (40%): 39,200 ADA - Includes smart contract development, AI model integration, and blockchain infrastructure setup.
2. Prototype Development and Testing (20%): 19,600 ADA - Costs related to developing the initial prototype, testing functionality, security testing, and initial deployment on test networks.
3. Security Audits and Compliance (10%): 9,800 ADA - Fees for third-party security audits of smart contracts and the overall platform to ensure robustness and compliance with current standards.
4. Project Management (10%): 9,800 ADA - Covers project management tools, planning, and execution costs to keep the project on track.
5. Marketing and Community Engagement (10%): 9,800 ADA - Expenses for marketing campaigns, community engagement activities, webinars, and AMAs to raise awareness and adoption.
6. Legal and Professional Services (5%): 4,900 ADA - Legal consultations to ensure compliance with regulations, and accounting services for financial oversight.
7. Documentation and Reporting (5%): 4,900 ADA - Creation of detailed documentation, progress reports, and final reporting to the community and stakeholders.

Additional Information

• Third-Party Services: Includes costs for security auditing services and legal consultations to ensure the platform is secure and compliant.
• Publicity and Community Engagement: Specific allocation for managing online platforms, community forums, and promotional events to foster engagement and feedback.
• Alternative Funding Sources: If additional funding is required beyond the initial 98,000 ADA, we will explore options such as private investments, partnerships within the Cardano ecosystem, or future funding rounds in Cardano Catalyst.

This budget plan ensures that every aspect of the project is well-funded and aligns with the objectives outlined in the proposal. It also demonstrates proactive management of resources, with allocations for essential services that will contribute to the project’s success and sustainability.

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

In demonstrating the value for money of the Quatern.ai project for the Cardano ecosystem, it's important to contextualize the budget in relation to the expected outcomes and the prevailing industry standards:

Cost Justification and Industry Standards:

• Development Costs: The budget allocations for blockchain development and AI integration are aligned with industry standards for similar blockchain and AI projects. The costs reflect the need for highly specialized skills in both blockchain and AI fields, which command premium rates globally. Based on current market rates for blockchain developers and AI specialists, which often range from $100 to $150 per hour, our budget ensures competitive compensation to attract and retain top talent.
• Security and Compliance: The allocation for security audits and legal compliance is essential, given the sensitive nature of deploying financial and AI applications on a blockchain. These costs are consistent with the fees charged by reputable third-party audit firms and legal advisors specializing in technology and blockchain regulations.
• Project Management and Documentation: The costs for managing the project and documenting processes and outcomes are designed to ensure thorough oversight and clear communication with stakeholders. These expenses are necessary for maintaining high standards of transparency and accountability.
• Marketing and Community Engagement: Engaging with the Cardano community and broader audiences is crucial for adoption and feedback. The budget for marketing and community activities is modeled on standard marketing expenditures in the tech industry, which typically allocate 10-20% of total project costs to these efforts.

Value for the Cardano Ecosystem:

• Technological Advancement: By funding Quatern.ai, the Cardano ecosystem invests in pioneering the integration of AI with blockchain, potentially leading to innovative solutions that can be adopted across various sectors. This not only enhances the utility and prestige of the Cardano blockchain but also sets new industry standards for decentralized AI applications.
• Community Growth and Engagement: The project will actively engage the Cardano community, not just as users but as participants in the development process through feedback and testing. This enhances community cohesion and loyalty, which are invaluable for the long-term success and vibrancy of the Cardano ecosystem.
• Strategic Partnerships and Scaling: Quatern.ai aims to establish partnerships within and beyond the Cardano ecosystem, potentially leading to increased adoption of ADA and fostering a broader network effect. This strategic expansion represents significant value for money as it paves the way for new use cases and increased demand for Cardano’s capabilities.

By providing this breakdown and context, the proposal illustrates that the costs are not only justified by the qualifications and market rates of the professionals involved but also by the substantial potential benefits to the Cardano ecosystem, confirming the project's value for money.