not approved
Dynamic mind-brain NFT design
Current Project Status
Unfunded
Amount
Received
$0
Amount
Requested
$265,500
Percentage
Received
0.00%
Solution

Dynamic NFT’s that contextually map to dynamic brain signatures, to be paired with decentralized keys for authentication.

Problem

Basic ID mechanisms, e.g. fingerprints/keys, are ill-suited for accelerating cybersecurity risks and dynamic complex environments

Current NFT design is too simplistic to represent dynamic brain states

Impact / Alignment
Feasibility
Auditability

Team

2 members

Dynamic mind-brain NFT design

Please describe your proposed solution.

<u>Summary</u>:

Bringing together expertise in neuroscience, AI/ML, blockchain, and cutting-edge art, Taylor Kuhn, Gabriel Axel Montes, Refik Anadol, and Lev Gottlieb are submitting a proposal to the Cardano Project Catalyst Fund9 Challenge: Dynamic mind-brain NFTs for web3.

This proposal aims aims to execute the necessary Research & Development (R&D) to create dynamic NFT's that map to functions of the mind and brain. This follows on our current work on NEURALPRINT, an authentication technology based on user’s unique cognitive profile (Architex) as well as dynamic neural and biometric signatures. The overarching goal of the NEURALPRINT project is to unlock deeper functionalities in web3 through the use of mind-brain data for authentication and credentialing. To represent this data on the blockchain, NFTs must be created that correspond to specific mind-brain states. However, the nature of the brain is dynamic, not static, so it is necessary to create dynamic NFT's that match the updating structure of the brain. Dynamic NFT's will also double serve to match dynamic environments, such as metaverses and spatially complex scenarios in real life, e.g. autonomous vehicles, supply chain, etc. The present proposal serves to develop the architecture for dynamic NFT's that match the relevant brain architecture, and then to unite this development with NEURALPRINT's authentication technology. The NFT's will be designed with an aesthetic/artistic component, to be served by the professional and renown artwork of Refik Anadol (see below).

<u>More about NEURALPRINT</u>:

Current authentication mechanisms – such as fingerprints, passwords, and crypto keys – are not adequately secure, and the dozens of passwords depend on memory or centralized password managers. NEURALPRINT aims to frog-leap over these hurdles by offering a convenient and easy solution to authentication: simply letting your unique biometric 'fingerprint' (cognitive style, brain-wave and heart-rate) do the work. These capabilities are quickly becoming recognized as necessary for complex environments such as AR/VR and metaverses – something not possible using static forms of ID like actual fingerprints, passwords, and crypto keys. NEURALPRINT will provide users a unique ID coded on the blockchain and paired with a personalized NFT based on their own data, both of which will serve as their tangible NeuralPrint for authenticating access to, and having content curated within, digital media.

<u>Impact</u>:

The problem we have set out to solve is essentially comprised of the following:

  • (As above), static authentication mechanisms (passwords, actual fingerprints, etc.) are unsophisticated and unprepared for dynamic spatial environments like metaverses and real-life settings, nor are they suited for the cybersecurity needs of these complex environments.
  • In the context of web3, current NFT design is too simplistic to represent the dynamic nature of brain states.

Our approach is as proposed because:

  • Dynamic NFT's (dNFT's) that map to the multifaceted nature of the mind/brain must be developed in order to unlock the power of the mind/brain in web3.
  • It is necessary to conduct Research & Development on how to map properties of the brain into the form of dynamic NFT's while considering their real-world environments of application.

Our project will engage:

  • The SingularityNET community (As of Q4, 2021: 100k GitHub commits, 32k+ Telegram members, 60k newsletter subscribers, 26k AGIX token holders, 4.5M organic monthly reach, Top 3 Ai videos on YouTube by Views, 7 of 45 top YouTube videos [over 1M views] listed on “artificial intelligence” search have tech built by the SingularityNET team)
  • Teams in various web3 applications, including offerings to the DAO's engaged by Gov3;
  • The broader web3 market broadly through marketing;
  • Potential collaborators and/or partners.

Being a primarily R&D proposal, the implementations and anticipated products will be:

  • Developing an architectural blueprint for brain-based dNFT's;
  • Developing a technical design for implementing the dNFT architecture on the blockchain;
  • Developing a foundational understanding of how dNFT's could map with biometric signals, e.g. EEG;
  • Pathform micro-intervention/-practice design development according to dNFT design/architecture;
  • Prototyped or proof-of-concept design completed for brain dynamic NFT's for Cardano blockchain;
  • Mapping and/or testing of dNFT design on NEURALPRINT authentication system – and (pending R&D) possible completion;
  • Developing essential marketing materials/content for the dNFT's milestones of NEURALPRINT;
  • Potential new collaborations and/or partnerships.

Anticipated outcomes as a result of our work from this proposal will be:

  • Mapped ability for how the mind/brain can unlock web3 functionalities;
  • Readiness to implement the dNFT architecture on the blockchain;
  • Improved understanding of how dNFT's could map with biometric signals, e.g. EEG;
  • Design of brain dNFT's for Cardano blockchain;
  • Greater community awareness of NEURALPRINT vision and development.

=====================

<u>More information</u>:

The present proposal is an outgrowth of PATHFORM (http://pathform.io/pathform), a spin-off project of Cardano partner, SingularityNET, which is a blockchain marketplace for AI services that runs on the Cardano blockchain. Pathform won a Catalyst grant (Fund 7) to fund its prototype app. Pathform offers short, targeted exercises to facilitate well-being. Pathform is the tool by which dynamic brain states are stimulated and sustained, which will be used for launching dynamic NFT's based on real-world brain states. Pathform is in collaboration with ARCHITEX, a digital cognitive assessment tool based on 100 years of neuropsychology, and the present proposal is a result of the synergies between the two, including collaboration between media artist Refik Anadol and project team member, Taylor Kuhn. A near-term use case for NEURALPRINT will be Gov3, a delegation toolkit for DAOs. Gov3 was a funded F7 project co-proposed by one of the present proposers, Gabriel and colleague and DAO expert Kathleen Olstedt. Gov3 currently has an agreed pilot with SingularityDAO, an AI-powered DeFi platform that is part of the SingularityNET ecosystem.

Refik Anadol brain connectome work, in collaboration with co-proposer Dr. Taylor Kuhn [source link]:

https://player.vimeo.com/video/571481502?autoplay=0&color=ffffff&title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&muted=1Link to the previously funded F7 proposal for Pathform:

<https://cardano.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Pathform-Custom-growth-paths/384379-48088>

Link to previously funded F8 proposal for NEURALPRINT:

https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/399656

Image File

Fig: Architex - sample basic neuropsychological assessment.

<u>Current NEURALPRINT project work</u>:

1) Developing a functional prototype for authentication capability;

2) Developing the capability to put the unique user identifiers on blockchain.

<u>(Further information about) NEURALPRINT</u>:

  • Is offering a capability for static authentication based on a quick neuropsychological assessment;
  • Is building a new capability for dynamic authentication based on neural and biometric signatures;
  • It is doing so starting with using the cognitive assessment tools provided by Architex (link below) as a basis for creating decentralized identifiers (DID);
  • Will add biosensing data streams from EEG, heart rate, and other peripherals;
  • Will be integrated with the the short and simple mind exercises of PATHFORM for feeding NEURALPRINT with personalized and targeted information about dynamic brain states;
  • Will generate an NFT for each cognitive style, then an NFT for each individual user, and then an NFT for each relevant and practicable unique brain state.
  • Will progressively build a personalized, private "digital twin" of a user, enabling insights and future credentialing in a variety of applications;
  • Will be prototyped and researched, and be developed with Atala PRISM utilization in mind.
  • Aims to be implemented in a near-term use case of team-formation and optimization in organizations, including DAO's.

NEURALPRINT will use a combination of stable and dynamic brain signatures from different contexts to paint a holistic neural 'fingerprint' of the user that fills the gap between digital signature and personal digital twin. A user's neuralprint will represent both a user's stable neural trait(s) and how a user dynamically responds to various contexts (states). This will allow for double-layered, dynamic digital identity that functions as identity verification and an evolving digital twin model of a user's brain patterns that can enable adaptive responses by a user's environment to their brain states in a way that accounts for context and "policies" (the operating code of a given environment).

NEURALPRINT will utilize Architex's granular datapoints from its neuropsychological assessment of cognitive style to create unique identifiers for users, and it will read users' biometric and neural responses to the various mini-exercises provided by Pathform, in order to generate state- and response-based user snapshots that progressively construct a user's evolving, dynamic digital twin. The micro-interventions will support beneficial, uplifting states of consciousness, helping to foster a holistic self-profile and deeper synergy of NEURALPRINT with user's diverse brain states in a way that no other application could conceivably accomplish, due to the convergence of expertise and background of the proposers.

Like a multi-address wallet, the former functions like a root private ID (the static fingerprint), and the latter like child ID's that map to later snapshots of the user. Architex's existing assessment offer the foundation for stable user IDs, and the targeted micro-interventions of Pathform facilitate states of consciousness that can be aggregated to progressively construct the digital twin. Root ID's and valuable child ID's can be used to generate NFT's for applications that merit non-fungibility. These can be grouped into categories with shared traits as may fit particular applications. This project will initially create NFT's for the brain images of Architex's scientifically-informed 64 neural 'archetypes', and evolve from there as warranted.

To illustrate some of the possibilities:

The simplest application is authentication based on brain states. This will use stable brain patterns as well as dynamic (shifting and evolving) brain patterns, which is a natural feature and occurrence in the brain. This will widen the possibilities of authentication into non-static forms that take advantage of the brain's natural fluctuations, something that no other form of authentication today can do. This allows authentication in different states of mind. A simple toy example: Person A has a credential that proves that she is Person A. However, her neuralprint shows her to have a brain state of inebriation and thereby perhaps warns her before she decides to drive and/or turn on autopilot feature (or authorizes her friend to drive instead, or activates autopilot). This demonstrates a "static" ID (the person) and a "dynamic" ID (the state of mind). Beyond being only an authenticator, neuralprinting will become an enabler of new possibilities; depending on mind state or mood, different constructive suggestions can be made. Neuralprinting can also be used to offer users insights into their cognitive styles and help match them with team-mates (e.g. in an organization or DAO). Future applications could expand quite dramatically once the foundational structures are in place, potentially including match-making suggestions for dating.

Architex will provide the static identifier with very low friction for entry. Architex results in a static ID on the blockchain and associated NFT representing the neuralprint for each user which can be used a neuralprint for access to websites and services. Content on those services is tailored to users based on their static ID neuralprint. AI can incorporate feedback based on either direct user response to questions and/or – given user permission – passive collection of users internet activity to improve the curation of that content based on their static ID neuralprint. Addition of biometric-based dynamic signature will allow for expanded functionality including instantaneous unlocking/authentication, dynamic context-dependent utilities.

NEURALPRINT will be available to developers and technical professionals, initially those involved with brain-computer interfaces (BCI's), who will be invited to contribute to the development of the application, its potential uses, and help grow the ecosystem.

NEURALPRINT is intended to offer the additional functionality of neural signatures and credentialing for the Atala PRISM platform.

The target audience of NEURALPRINT beyond development phase includes businesses and individuals who wish to leverage cutting-edge user authentication and profiling beyond the current industry standards and their limited cybersecurity.

Beyond this proposal, NEURALPRINT aims to expand neural signature decentralized identity to various sectors and markets.

A near-term use case is an area in which both team-members (Gabriel & Taylor) have experience and are actively involved: talent networks and human resources.

  • NEURALPRINT's neural Identification will be offered for organizational teams (including DAO's) to inform team-building, collaboration, and synergy according to needs and goals.
  • Gabriel has experience as ex- Head of HR at SingularityNET, currently works to facilitate organizational change through consulting and talent networks through Singularity Studio (the enterprise solutions arm of SingularityNET), and has a funded F7 proposal for HR for DAO's ("DAOJob; https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/384890). Taylor is already actively offering Architex's assessment tool to an HR company.

NEURALPRINT will utilize Pathform's initial well-being offering as a garden bed for developing and growing its DID features. Pathform's quantitiatively measured micro-interventions allow users to undergo enriching experiences, offer them constructive insights into their minds, and meanwhile help them build an increasingly robust neuralprint. Users will be empowered with consciousness expansion and useful insights into their inner world with a level of precision not found elsewhere.

Farther along, NEURALPRINT will explore the use of the VERSES.io SDK, where our authentication can be used in the Spatial Web, the future of connectivity across dimensions of physical and digital space. Gabriel has a close relationship with VERSES and will be able to leverage the SDK once it is released. VERSES leverages the IEEE open standards protocol Hyperspace Transaction Protocol (HSTP; https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/2874/10375/), which would enable context mapping for NEURALPRINT. This will enable countless application possibilities for NEURALPRINT, from gaming to smart cities.

================

The present proposal arises out of the collaboration between Pathform and Architex. Pathform is incorporating neuro-assessment capabilities in collaboration with Architex, a digital assessment tool based on 100 years of science in functional neuroanatomy and brain-behavior relationships, founded by academic and clinical neuropsychologists. Architex will offer users a rapid assessment of their cognitive strengths to help them discover and appreciate their cognitive style, an in-depth indicator of neuro-cognitive type, with accompanying insights for using this knowledge to elevate performance and thrive. (More information on Architex below and in the attached slide deck.)

=================

An Architex slide deck is attached to this proposal, for reference.

<u>The 2021 Pathform slide deck can be found here, for reference</u>:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aaxWwQiSb9MDLZG87cx5LZ4ViQbl0K7SxSa6TiB_QHk/edit#slide=id.p

<u>The 2021 Pathform litepaper can be found here, for reference</u>:

<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IVmilnoGlUUVzKxtSWgJrLG-6ene3QRxBHIsPiQ-K20/edit?usp=sharing>

-------------------------

For reference regarding the artistic potential of the NEURALPRINT NFT's, see Refik Anadol's existing work, such as the machine learning art installation in the lobby of the San Francisco sales office:

  • <https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6906616018781773824/>

And Refik's website:

  • <https://refikanadol.com/>

==================

The vision of NEURALPRINT contains the combined power and synergy of the visions of Pathform and Architex. The whole of the Pathform roadmap encompasses a long-term project backed by a committed team and vision. It is well beyond the scope of any single Catalyst Challenge. Pathform plans to scale beyond the scope of this Challenge – in number of users, market, and range of applications –, and it aims to continue evolving so as to address large global challenges of our time, directly addressing well-being, consciousness, and technology.

Pathform will directly make use of SingularityNET's marketplace AI services. This means an increase in calls using SingularityNET's AGIX tokens. Because SingularityNET's AGIX token runs on Cardano, this means increased use of the Cardano blockchain. Furthermore, as developers/programmers are a focal sub-audience of Pathform, Pathform's offerings will be available to Plutus developers as well and thus add value to the Cardano community and ecosystem.

We aim for the requested budget (below) to be sufficient to meet our 3-month milestones (see below), which is the intended scope of this Challenge funding request. The greater extent of the project will require more funds, which we plan to request in any combination of the following options in Q2 2022 and beyond, if/as necessary: future Catalyst funding rounds, planned fundraising rounds, possible token generation event.

Community development will be supported by World Systems Solutions (WSS), a collaborator of Pathform, to facilitate the community dialogue and growth toward collaborative education and action around global challenges and development of ethical AI. This is key and core to the progressive decentralization of AI, wherein the community must cultivate an understanding of how to steward technological development and governance toward building a prosperous and beneficial future. For more information, visit https://wssnow.org/social-movement-engine.

Pathform is viewed as mission-critical to the ethical development of AI and advanced technologies in the world as well as the beneficial development of the SingularityNET community.

=======================================

Image File

Fig: Pathform - prototype mobile app (beta) screenshot.

<u>About Pathform</u><u> (http://pathform.io/pathform)&lt;/u>:

Pathform offers a framework for delivering well-being–oriented exercises and experiences to users via various media, and using AI-based analysis to help optimize and sequence the exercises presented to each user and provide user guidance. This will be initially delivered via mobile app, with virtual world and augmented reality modes also being actively explored.

Well-being exercises include targeted meditation and body-awareness practices and also more innovative techniques, including ones leveraging biofeedback from smartphone peripherals and EEG headsets. The framework is applicable to a wide audience, and is amenable to technical professionals and developers/engineers. Subsequent versions of the framework will also be extended to allow creation and dissemination of properly vetted user-created exercises.

At a deeper and more fundamental level, Pathform aims to create "Precision Consciousness" — the delivery of consciousness micro-interventions targeted to specific needs and neuroscientific functions, personalized to the user to help them cultivate custom, AI-assisted paths of personal growth. Given the shifts in consciousness, Pathform will then help to form collaborative teams with the purpose of co-creatively generating solutions to global challenges, such as climate change, poverty, AI ethics, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's). Beyond simply simply adding to the plethora of wellness offerings on the market, Pathform will use the well-recognized neuroscience of bodily self-consciousness to redefine the field of Experience Design across industries, by offering multi-modal and multi-sensory toolkits for designing beneficial experiences. The sky is the limit, and we are taking it leap by leap.

Pathform will incorporate neuro-assessment capabilities in collaboration with Architex, a digital assessment tool based on 100 years of science in functional neuroanatomy and brain-behavior relationships. Architex in its current form consists of a 6-minute, empirically-informed, quantitative neuropsychological assessment that maps your neurocognitive traits and, based on a multitude of data points, provides insights into a user’s neurocognitive style. In doing so, it captures a litany of neurocognitive domains, many of which are trait-based, some of which are state-based. Thus, Architex provides an individualized, quantitative mapping of each user’s neurocognitive style and strengths. These can be leveraged to personalize precision consciousness, micro-interventions and other user-enhancing recommendations via Pathform.

<u>About Architex</u><u> (https://www.myarchitex.com/)&lt;/u>:

Architex is a quick and accessible digital assessment of the brain and mind created by the co-founders of The Integrated Clinic (https://www.theintegratedclinic.com/). Grounded in the science of functional neuroanatomy and brain-behavior relationships, Architex uncovers your cognitive strengths to help you discover and appreciate your ArchiTYPE: an in-depth indicator of your brain type, with accompanying insights for using this knowledge to elevate performance and thrive. Architex distills 100 years of neuropsychological research and a 6-hour test into a 6-minute mobile device test on smartphone/tablet/webapp. Architex moves away from a focus on deficits and diagnosis and toward applied positive neuropsychology, seeking to provide insights into each user’s individual cognitive style in order to help them leverage that insight to improve their daily functioning.

The session first begins with several interview questions about your life, interests, and goals. Next, clients complete the cutting-edge, six-minute Architex assessment on our iPad or web platform. After completion, your results will be computed and presented to you along with an individualized feedback session with our scientists.

Results are presented in two parts: (i) a four-letter acronym, with each letter representing an aspect of your cognitive profile; and (ii) a two-letter code expressing how your strengths uniquely manifest in the world. With Architex, you can leverage your natural neurocognitive talents in school, work, and relationships, all in order to promote your daily functioning. Architex: Learn your brain. Build your life.

Please describe how your proposed solution will address the Challenge that you have submitted it in.

Being a primarily oriented around self-sovereign identity (SSI) and decentralized identification (DID), the proposal/project addresses relevant KPI's as follows:

  • Positioning Cardano as a leader in the SSI space by proposing an innovative and disruptive authentication solution using cutting edge technology, led by experts in their fields, and choosing to develop this solution through Cardano and Atala PRISM.
  • Addresses SSI in a quantifiable manner, through assessment metrics and data, biosensing hardware, and utilization of Atala PRISM.

NEURALPRINT is an unusually novel application in web3, which is being first introduced via Cardano, bringing unique value to the Cardano ecosystem.

What are the main risks that could prevent you from delivering the project successfully and please explain how you will mitigate each risk?

Risk (1): Challenge or delay in arriving at the appropriate brain architectural models in time to inform dNFT design.

  • We have accounted for this by making this a 6-month project, allowing adequate time to develop architectural models that draw from knowledge in the neuropsychology/neuroscience field.

Risk (2): There is no appropriate dNFT design that can functionally represent anything useful about something as complex as the brain.

  • The proposers feel confident in the ability to model the brain at a high-level that can sufficiently enact essential tokenomics for NEURALPRINT dNFT's. More complex layerings for which there are insufficient time in this project length can be delayed for a future date, while using the best possible design in the project timeframe to get started with a functional NFT design.

Risk (3): Challenge or delay in mapping dNFT's to biometric parameters.

  • The proposers recognize that mapping biometrics to dNFT's can be an extra challenge. For that reason, we have expressed the intent to begin this exploration with rudimentary design rather than dedicating a large part of the proposal toward this aspect.

The above risks largely represent the challenge with doing scientifically oriented work, especially in combination with another complex and constantly evolving technology, blockchain. We humbly put our best foot forward with enthusiasm and conviction in the overall higher goal of the project.

Please provide a detailed plan, including timeline and key milestones for delivering your proposal.

The present proposal is for <u>3 months</u> and <u>6 months</u>:

<u>3 months</u>:

  • Critical review of prominent models of brain architecture worth incorporating into dynamic NFT (dNFT) architecture;
  • Pathform micro-intervention/-practice design according to dNFT architecture;
  • Functional design of brain NFT's that is compatible with both static brain ID's (Architex) and dynamic brain ID's (Pathform/NEURALPRINT);
  • Critical review of existing state-of-the art models for NFT's and their dynamic forms;
  • Developed provisional/preliminary models for potential schemas of integration between brain architectural models and dNFT's;
  • Selection process of schemas for artistic renderings/interpretations for brain dNFT's;
  • Marketing for NEURALPRINT;
  • Explore industry and ecosystem partnership and collaboration opportunities.

<u>6 months</u>:

  • Developed schemas for integration of brain static ID's (linked to Architex assessments) with dynamic brain states (Pathform/NEURALPRINT);
  • Selected brain architecture model(s) for dNFT architecture;
  • Developed technical design for brain dNFT's on the blockchain;
  • Developed Pathform micro-intervention/-practice design according to dNFT architecture;
  • Developed schemas for artistic renderings/interpretations for brain dNFT's;
  • Extended model(s) developed for incorporating biometrics/EEG in brain architectural model(s) and brain dNFT design;
  • Mapping and/or testing of dNFT design on NEURALPRINT authentication system – and (pending on R&D) possible completion;
  • Marketing for NEURALPRINT;
  • Potential industry and ecosystem partnership and collaboration opportunities materialized/ongoing.

<u>12 months</u>:

  • Deepened R&D on use of Pathform's micro-interventions to fine-tune biosensing authentication capability;
  • SingularityNET AI services (running on Cardano blockchain) will iteratively improve the content that is curated for user's based on their unique static ID.
  • Capability for dynamic brain signatures (using biosensing) prototyped/developed.

<u>12+ months</u>:

  • Integration with VERSES Spatial Web SDK, operating on IEEE Hyperspace Transaction Protocol (HSTP)

<u>Remarks on workload</u>:

Gabriel Axel Montes and Taylor Kuhn are contributors to a total of two proposals together in Fund9, and Gabriel is a contributor to another proposal with another collaborator, who is driving that proposal full-time. Gabriel has been successfully managing more than one past funding round simultaneously with no timing or workload issues attributable to these projects. Each project has a distinct core team and sets of milestones, making it straightforward to allocate workload. Regarding ongoing projects (Fund 8), the past and present proposals have been designed so as to be synergistic and co-existent, each able to support the others, yet each able to deliver on its own merits and resources. We have chosen this approach deliberately to maximize our value contribution. As our past experience and success has demonstrated, we anticipate no workload issues.

Please provide a detailed budget breakdown.

Research & Development (R&D):

  • Neuroscience/brain architecture modeling: $54,000
  • Functional dynamic NFT design, strategy, R&D: $33,000
  • Integration of dynamic brain model with static brain models for NFT design: $48,000
  • Integration of neuroscience/brain architecture with dNFT design: $28,000
  • Mapping dNFT's to biometrics/EEG: $36,000

Marketing/agency, social media: $31,500

Biosensing equipment: $35,000

TOTAL: $265,500

The Catalyst Fund9 budget has been intentionally kept relatively lean for a project of this nature and scope (i.e. considering scientific R&D in both blockchain and a highly scientific area, neuroscience) so as to maximize reaching the milestones within the constraints of the Catalyst program.

Please provide details of the people who will work on the project.

<u>Core team</u><u> (more detailed information below)</u>:

  • Gabriel Axel Montes, Ph.D. ~ Neuroscientist, consciousness researcher and practitioner; Organizational transformation. Pathform Founder & CEO, Executive Chairman of the Board. <https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielaxel>

  • Taylor Kuhn, Ph.D. ~ Neuropsychologist. Cognitive psychometrics. Brain imaging, cannabis, neurodegeneration. UCLA. Architex Co-founder (Pathform collaborator). <https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-kuhn-a40a9b48>

Gabriel and Taylor will both be involved in the modeling of brain architectures and NFT's. IN general, Gabriel tends to be more involved in the dynamic aspects of NEURALPRINT (related to dynamic states, architectures, biometrics) and Taylor to neuropsychological and clinical models and the static component of NFTs. Gabriel tends to drive the NEURALPRINT vision and general strategy.

<u>Extended team</u> (<u>more detailed information below):</u>

  • Refik Anadol ~ Media artist & director, pioneer in aesthetics of data and machine intelligence; UCLA Visiting Researcher & Lecturer; <https://www.linkedin.com/in/refikanadol/>
  • Lev Gottlieb, Ph.D. - Architex Co-founder (Pathform collaborator) https://www.linkedin.com/in/gottliebneuro
  • Zach Richter ~ award-winning Director, Creative Director, and graphic designer. VR. https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-richter-27533428/
  • Kathleen Olstedt ~ Venture builder and web3/DAO strategist; <https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenolstedt/>

Refik is responsible for the art of NEURALPRINT, Lev for the clinical aspect of Architex, Zach as a consultant and advisor for design and creative, and Kathleen for strategy around NFT's.

<u>Advisors</u>:

  • Penny Wong ~ Cybersecurity expert; Digital Transformation, Enterprise/Solution architect.https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennywong/

<u>Founding Board (Pathform):</u>

  • Gabriel Axel Montes ~ <https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielaxelExecutive> Chairman of the Board & CEO. Neuroscientist, consciousness researcher & educator. SingularityNET, Neural Axis
  • Ben Goertzel ~ <https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengoertzel> Father of AGI. Founder & CEO, SingularityNET
  • Eddie Monroe ~ <https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiemonroe> Virtual agents, NLP, healthcare robotics. Former psychotherapist. Loving AI X-prize project
  • Janet Adams ~ <https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-adams-ai-risk> COO, SingularityNET. AI risk. Banking & finance. ex-HSBC.

<u>Advisors (Pathform):</u>

  • John Jones ~ <https://wssnow.org/board-of-directors> IT, consciousness educator and teacher. Existential risk. Founder, World Systems Solutions
  • Dan Mapes ~ <https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmapes> Co-designer of Spatial Web IEEE protocol. Metaverses. Co-founder & President, VERSES.io & The Spatial Web Foundation
  • Edward Keller ~ <https://www.linkedin.com/in/edkeller> Architecture, transdisciplinary and multimodal design. Creative Director, SophiaDAO. ex- Columbia University
  • Sebastian Rubens y Rojo ~ <https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastianrubensyrojo> Strategic planning & execution, governance. Ex-Deloitte, ex- Abu Dhabi Education Council

-------------------------------

<u>Team</u>:

Gabriel Axel Montes, Ph.D.

Gabriel Axel Montes, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist, consciousness educator, leadership coach, and facilitator of personal and organizational development and transformation.

Drawing from over a decade of neuroscience and consciousness research and experience as a facilitator, Gabriel taps latent human capability to optimize processes and unlock value from existing resources and human capital. He works to address today's global complexities and risks through the application of practicable neuroscience- and psychology-informed models and tools that elucidate the subtle habitual patterns at the root of inefficiencies. In his work, Gabriel promotes and teaches meta-learning—the capacity of "learning to learn", adapt, grow, change, and collaborate— to maximize human capability during organizational change.

Gabriel helps organizations synergize the relationship between human capital and technology implementation during digital transformation. He has worked with SingularityNET, the world's premier decentralized A(G)I organization, first by participating in the management of the initial $36 million fundraise as part of the launch team, and more recently he served as Head of People/HR, leading a doubling of staff count during a rapid growth phase and facilitating organizational development, collaboration, and well-being among its staff. Gabriel has conducted research in various subfields of neuroscience and published seminal work on the crucial role of neuroscience and consciousness in the design and ethics of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and virtual and augmented reality technologies.

Gabriel is bilingual (English & Spanish), an author, and an international speaker for diverse audiences on the intersection of consciousness, technology, and human culture, working and presenting at Harvard, Stanford, among various universities. Gabriel is a long-time mind-body/consciousness practitioner and instructor, eclectic experimental musician, and world traveler.

For more information, visit neuralaxis.org.

Dr. Taylor Kuhn, Ph.D.

Dr. Taylor Kuhn received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida. Throughout his career, he underwent extensive training in outpatient, inpatient, and perioperative neuropsychological assessment. He completed his clinical internship at the Boston Consortium for Clinical Psychology with fellowships at Harvard and Boston University. He also completed postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA where he was both chief research and assistant chief clinical fellow. Dr. Kuhn is board certified in clinical neuropsychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology and the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABPP/CN).

Specializing in the intersection of neuromedical illness and mental health treatment, Dr. Kuhn provides outpatient neurocognitive and psychodiagnostic assessment along with ongoing managed care. These services are available to adults with a broad array of neurological and psychiatric concerns. He also provides pre-surgical, rehabilitation and geriatric psychological consultations as well as cognitive rehabilitation and psychotherapy. Dr. Kuhn also offers Cognitive Style testing informing decisions on school, work, teams, relationships and wellness. Finally, he co-founded and manages The Integrated Clinic.

Dr. Kuhn holds a research faculty appointment at UCLA. He has a growing record of accomplished research that bridges the gap between neuropsychology and neuroimaging to investigate relationships between brain structure and function across multiple neurodegenerative disorders, neuromedical illnesses, healthy aging and intellectual giftedness. More recently, his research has expanded to include neuromodulation techniques, such as focused ultrasound, as a non-invasive method for improving cognitive performance and emotion regulation.

For more information about Taylor, visit:

  • <https://www.kuhncognitive.com/drtaylorkuhn>
  • <https://www.semel.ucla.edu/profile/taylor-kuhn>

<u>Refik Anadol</u>

Refik Anadol is a media artist and director born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1985. Currently lives and works in Los Angeles, California. He is a lecturer and visiting researcher in UCLA’s Department of Design Media Arts.

He holds a master of fine arts degree from University of California, Los Angeles in Media Arts, master of fine arts degree from Istanbul Bilgi University in Visual Communication Design as well as bachelors of arts degree with summa cum laude in Photography and Video.

He is working in the fields of site-specific public art with parametric data sculpture approach and live audio/visual performance with immersive installation approach, particularly his works explore the space among digital and physical entities by creating a hybrid relationship between architecture and media arts with machine intelligence.

He has been given awards, residencies and has served as a guest lecturer. He is the recipient of a number of awards, prizes including Microsoft Research’s Best Vision Award, German Design Award, UCLA Art+Architecture Moss Award, University of California Institute for Research in the Arts Award, SEGD Global Design Awards and Google’s Art and Machine Intelligence Artist Residency Award. His site-specific audio/visual performances have been seen in Walt Disney Concert Hall (USA), Hammer Museum (USA), International Digital Arts Biennial Montreal (Canada), Ars Electronica Festival (Austria), l’Usine | Genève (Switzerland), Arc De Triomf (Spain), Zollverein | SANAA’s School of Design Building (Germany), santralistanbul Contemporary Art Center (Turkey), Outdoor Vision Festival SantaFe New Mexico (USA), Istanbul Design Biennial (Turkey), Sydney City Art (Australia), Lichtrouten (Germany).

For more about Refik Anadol, visit:

Dr. Lev Gottlieb, Ph.D.

Lev Gottlieb, PhD is a Neuropsychologist and UCLA Assistant Clinical Professor. He assesses children, adolescents and adults, and coordinates their care. Dr. Gottlieb also co-founded and manages The Integrated Clinic which provides team-based assessment and care across the lifespan. Finally, he develops neurotechnologies such as Architex, a quick and accessible assessment of the brain and mind.

Additional endeavors include advising a specialized school, providing expert review and forensic testimony, editing a research topic on quantified self and brain health, and guiding research related to neurocognition and neuromodulation.

Dr. Gottlieb earned his BA in Psychology from University of Pennsylvania and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University School of Medicine. He completed specialty training in Neuropsychology at Children’s Hospital of Chicago, NYU Child Study Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, The Help Group and UCLA, where he continues to serve on the clinical faculty.

Dr. Gottlieb has extensive experience providing evaluations and treatment to those with neurodevelopmental differences and acquired brain injuries, and has published and presented research on these conditions and their treatment as well as on learning, memory and talent.

For more information about Lev, visit:

  • <https://www.linkedin.com/in/gottliebneuro/>
  • <https://gottliebneuro.com/>

Zachary Richter

Zach Richter is an award-winning Director, Creative Director and Graphic Designer. His work combines interactive media, technology, and storytelling.

Richter gained recognition as a Creative Director with Saatchi & Saatchi and Stopp (USA) where he worked closely with Toyota, Google, Honda, Intel and Starbucks to help launch their integrated global campaigns. As a director, he's worked with The New York Times, adidas, Google, Range Rover, Acura, GE and many others.

In 2013, Richter collaborated with Chris Milk and Beck to create "Sound & Vision" the world's first ever 360° live action virtual reality film, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival.

In 2015, Richter and Milk directed The New York Times virtual reality documentary "Walking New York" about French artist, JR.

In 2017, Richter directed ‘Hallelujah,’ the world’s first Light Field VR music experience, shot with over 550 cameras using Lytro Immerge technology. Hallelujah premiered nationally at Tribeca Film Festival and Internationally at Cannes Film Festival. In 2017, he was also nominated for an Emmy for an interactive music video he directed for The Chemical Brothers called “Under Neon Lights.”

From 2018-present, his work has exhibited at Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, The Nikolaj Kunsthal in Copenhagen and the Phi Centre in Montréal.

Richter's work has been shown at Sundance, Tribeca and SXSW film festivals and has been honored with the highest awards in creativity and technology at Cannes Lions, The Webby Awards, and Clio Awards.

Since 2015, Richter has been the Creative Director & Head of Design at WITHIN, a Virtual and Augmented Reality company, founded by Chris Milk & Aaron Koblin. Within’s investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Temasek, Emerson Collective, 21st Century Fox, WPP, Raine Ventures, WME, Live Nation, Vice Media, Tribeca Enterprises, Annapurna Pictures and Legendary Pictures.

In 2020, he designed, creative directed and helped launch ‘Supernatural,’ a first-of-its-kind Virtual Reality fitness & wellness experience. Supernatural was awarded the ‘Best App or Game’ of 2020 by Fast Company.

He was born in Chicago, IL and currently lives in Los Angeles, CA.

For more about Zachary, visit http://www.zacharyrichter.com/

Kathleen Olstedt ~ <https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenolstedt/>

Kathleen is a Berlin- & Lisbon-based business-building professional with 15+ years of experience in emerging tech. Previous roles ranged from Future Research & Investment Management to hands-on project implementation. Amongst others, she has invested in Berlin-based software startups with IBB Ventures. As a consultant and venture builder for hy-Axel Springer Consulting Group, she evaluated new business opportunities for industrial clients and accompanied their venture initiatives as Interim Manager (e.g. Good Stuff Ventures). Furthermore, Kathleen has been deeply involved in corporate development processes, be it as Collaboration Manager for Daimler Fleetboard or in the Management of the IoT-EU platforms initiative, where she fostered technology platform-alignment amongst 120 R&D departments in the area of IoT.

In 2017, she found her home in blockchain and Web3, piloting decentralized data exchange and contract automation in logistics and supply chain. Since then she has been involved in several DAOs, e.g. as core contributor at the treasury league of Idle Finance (DeFi DAO), contributor to LLama (building economic infrastructures for DAOs) and Bankless Consultancy (edecntarlised DAO advisory), while advocating for more diversity in the Blockchain ecosystem at large.

If you are funded, will you return to Catalyst in a later round for further funding? Please explain why / why not.

The novelty of NEURALPRINT means ongoing funding will be required, from some source or other. Furthermore, since building web3 tooling takes place in an ever-evolving (still experimental) environment, early-stage development can only be accomplished with grants and support from the community.

Beyond this proposal, we aim to acquire further funding for the subsequent developmental stages.

Once the core product is established, the business model of NEURALPRINT can be finalized and thus further development and scaling be facilitated by VC's (e.g. Venture DAOs).

We are enthusiasts of and contributors to Catalyst, and we are grateful for its support of our project as we offer value to the Cardano ecosystem. We aim to make our products as accessible as possible to the Cardano and Catalyst ecosystems. As mentioned, we intend to seek further funding for our projects, as they require it for continued development toward our longer-term aims (see milestones above and attached slide decks). Various milestones can be broken up into chunks for funding requests.

Ultimately, whether we continue to seek funding from future Catalyst rounds depends on ongoing support/interest from Cardano and for the Catalyst system to continue to appreciate the value the projects bring. We are glad to continue to apply to the Catalyst funding system as long as there is felt mutual benefit. If so, you can look forward to seeing us again! We are grateful to be here!

Please describe what you will measure to track your project's progress, and how will you measure these?

We will measure the following key metrics related to our project aims/plan:

  • Progress on and completion of development of brain architecture model(s);
  • Progress on and completion of development of dNFT architecture model(s);
  • Progress on and completion of development of integration of static and dynamic models for NFT design;
  • Progress of development of mapping dNFT's to biometrics design;
  • General opinion of followers of NEURALPRINT and other social media metrics (e.g. likes, comments, and general engagement) generated from marketing.

Since much of the above is open-ended, though based on the proposers' expertise, it is hard to define exactly what will constitute progress en route to recognized completion. The proposers are nevertheless dedicated to sharing progress on the above, using screenshots of exemplary (and shareable) aspects of the R&D progress on architectural models, e.g. text documents and diagrams.

What does success for this project look like?

By the end of the project:

  • We will have honed the best of the static modeling (characteristic of Architex) together with the best of the dynamic modeling (characteristic of Pathform) to create a schema for the brain architectural components most useful for creating dynamic NFT design for NEURALPRINT technology;
  • There will have been substantial R&D completed for NEURALPRINT to develop dynamic NFT's that adequately model hallmark dynamic properties of the brain.
  • There will be greater awareness of NEURALPRINT in the web3 community;

Please provide information on whether this proposal is a continuation of a previously funded project in Catalyst or an entirely new one.

The present proposal is an interdependent continuation of a Fund8 proposal that initiated NEURALPRINT development: https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/399656

The two proposals have the same long-term timeline and goals, however whereas the previous proposal set the stage with creating the foundational technology for authentication (largely using static ID's), the present proposal aims to leverage emerging dynamic NFT ideas as a blockchain landing pad for dynamic brain signatures, which were a key component of the NEURALPRINT value proposition. With the present proposal, NEURALPRINT can undertake the necessary R&D to develop its signature dynamic authentication technology.

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  • EP2: epoch_length

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

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    Darlington Kofa
  • EP1: 'd' parameter

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

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  • EP3: key_deposit

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

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  • EP4: epoch_no

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  • EP5: max_block_size

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  • EP6: pool_deposit

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  • EP7: max_tx_size

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