New Crypto AI Startups FLock Says It Will Rewards Its AI Trainer

Decrypt reported on Tuesday that the new AI startup FLock aims to attract users to assist in training its large language model by offering a cryptocurrency rewards program. Additionally, FLock plans to entice developers to create applications on its AI platform through a token airdrop, a strategy commonly used in crypto projects and games.

AI Revolution by FLock

New AI startup FLock is set to revolutionize the training of large language models by introducing a crypto rewards program, the company's founder and CEO, Jiahao Sun. FLock's innovative approach involves leveraging token airdrops, a tactic frequently seen in crypto projects and games, to draw developers to its AI platform.

"We envision FLock as a marketplace or platform for communities," Sun explained. "Rather than us building models for them, we provide the infrastructure enabling everyone to compete with their model. The winner receives significant incentives from businesses or stakeholders who pay for these use cases."

Typically, AI models require extensive data, and the original data creators often remain uncompensated, a situation that has led to substantial lawsuits and strikes. FLock addresses key concerns like privacy, data storage, and access through its decentralized AI. "We contribute to the last mile of data, privacy, and user control," Sun noted. "FLock is here to ensure that users can leverage this critical last-mile data to fine-tune even better models. It's not necessarily about building larger models than those of major players like OpenAI, Google, or Microsoft, but about enhancing the quality of data directly sourced from users."

What is FLock? 

Founded in London in 2022, FLock seeks to push the boundaries of AI with blockchain technology's decentralization. Currently in its testnet phase, FLock plans to reward users who stake its FML tokens on the Ethereum layer-two network BASE. Users can also participate as training nodes, validators, or delegators within the FLock.io network.

"The staking program isn't just a traditional financial mechanism; it's FLock’s method to manage training authentication," Sun emphasized. "Effective participants will continue earning FMLs for new tasks, while those who manipulate or falsify training data will be penalized by losing FML tokens and being expelled from the system."

Despite its open design, FLock's FML staking rewards program is unavailable in certain areas, including the United States, due to regulatory constraints.

FLock is collaborating with Foundry, a leader in blockchain infrastructure and Bitcoin mining, in its beta rollout. "Our partnership with Foundry leverages their robust infrastructure to validate and support the models," Sun added.

AI x Crypto

As AI integration becomes more widespread, alternatives to centralized corporate AI are gaining traction. Earlier this month, ShapeShift founder Erik Voorhees introduced Venice AI, a decentralized AI model. Voorhees highlighted the permanence of data held by companies, underscoring the value of a service that avoids central data repositories altogether.

Meanwhile, in a significant move within the decentralized AI space, Fetch.ai, SingularityNET, and Ocean Protocol announced their merger into the Superintelligence Alliance this March. The alliance also merged their native tokens—FET, AGIX, and OCEAN—into a new token, ASI, aiming to create the world’s largest decentralized AI ecosystem. "Our goal with ASI is to achieve true decentralization in the technological development and deployment of AI," stated Fetch.AI CEO and Chairman of the Alliance, Humayun Sheikh.