![effedt logo and strap.jpg](https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/QmYW3mWkwWNJFKvF6m9vzCSiB8h9PMgpZv5T3SRpt7M1uM)

What comes to your mind when you hear the term **Artificial Intelligence**? For some it's a scene from the iRobot movie where robots served as mechanical maids and assistants. For others it's a scene from Minority Report where algorithms became so advanced they could predict crimes you would commit weeks before you did the deed! Many even take a darker view and envision a Terminator Series Skynet takeover. Thankfully that's all fiction (*I sincerely hope so*).

Basically, 
>Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of computer science that emphasizes the creation of intelligent machines that work and react like humans. 
~[Techopedia](https://www.techopedia.com/definition/190/artificial-intelligence-ai)

So what does this mean? The concept of Artificial Intelligence is one that stems from man's desire to simplify every aspect of life until every action is just one command away. While we are still far from that level, we have made considerable breakthroughs in creating digital consciousness that can receive, assimilate and respond to data. 

Artificial Intelligence has shown that it has many merits and potential uses.
From selfdriving/parking cars, to virtual assistants to trading bots, we will all agree it is a welcome development.
Man is the most advanced lifeform on the planet but we are limited in capability. Hence we built machines to assist us carry out desired tasks. A good example being Super computers used for complex advanced calculations. 

We have Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana. Both virtual assistants that utilise Voice Command Technology to help with simple tasks and organise their users lives.  
We have Amazon's Alexa that measures site hits and links it to user locations for visibility and outreach studies. 
We have Google's search engine that utilises it's massive database to help users locate information based on keywords.
Artificial Intelligence is also showcased in autonomous vehicles such as drones and self-driving cars. 
![IMG_20180513_141424_222.jpg](https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/QmNxP4ku3eZMmHXCkBWDdYeDC9yi1GRXwX6a5obiF9ABjr)<center> [Source](https://futureoflife.org/background/benefits-risks-of-artificial-intelligence/) </center>


But what do all these examples have in common? They are all owned by big corporations who have their own private workforce and input system not known to the public. We can only take what they decide to give out with no guarantee as to authenticity or absence of bias. 
As we've seen before in the competitive world, sometimes companies who are supposed to be neutral intentionally sabotage others for gain, example [Google was accused of manipulating search results to push rival companies down the result list](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericgoldman/2016/05/17/google-must-answer-lawsuit-for-manually-removing-websites-from-its-search-index/amp/)

Also, while these big corporations may have a sizeable workforce, they are often limited in testing approach to certain applications.

## <center> Introducing Effect.AI </center>

[EFFECT.AI](https://effect.ai/) is a Neo based decentralised platform for Artificial Intelligence. 
It provides a meeting-ground for software developers and testers without the influence of middlemen.

<center> What is Effect.AI </center>
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gJ-5wYjUkFA

Among the major goals or milestones of Artificial Intelligence, we have knowledge, reasoning, computer vision, language processing, learning and problem solving. 

Knowledge engineering is a core part of AI research. Machines/software can imitate human response but only if they have ample information relating to the scenario. This means Artificial intelligence must have access to data to implement knowledge engineering. Initiating common sense, reasoning and problem-solving power in machines is a difficult and tedious task.

[EFFECT.AI](https://effect.ai/) tackles this using crowd sourcing. The [Effect Network](https://effect.ai/) aims to create a fully decentralized ecosystem, whereby users can access these technologies without an overcharging intermediary.

[EFFECT.AI](https://effect.ai/) was scheduled to occur in 3 phases

<center> **Phase 1: Effect Mechanical Turk** </center>

This first phase introduces Mechanical Turk to the blockchain. Developers will be able to access a global workforce to help educate the AI. Basically, it will provide a marketplace where users can earn tokens for completing tasks. Users earn tokens by completing any number of tasks which can then be used to help teach and refine algorithms. These tasks will add to the data repository of the AI that will help it learn and evolve. Requesters work within their budget and can set the token price of each given task.

<center> **Phase 2: Effect Smart Market**</center>

This phase introduces an AI marketplace on the Effect Network. Using the Effect Network, users such as companies will be able to buy AI related services. 

<center> **Phase 3: Effect Power** </center>

This stage will use shared computation in order to power the developed AI applications.

![Screen Shot 2018-05-12 at 3.40.26 PM.png](https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/QmYd1AV9pDD6ybRKVcUfT8iGQomzAoGHFnEMDf3tjfVYfg)

[EFFECT.AI](https://effect.ai/) announced its roadmap a couple months ago and have been very busy since then. They are now about to launch their First Stage - The Mechanical Turk.

## <center> SO WHAT IS MECHANICAL TURK ABOUT? </center>
Mechanical Turk refers to a system whereby human workforce is in demand and can be coordinated to work together and respond or contribute to solving a specific problem. 

![spiral-building-city-town-urban-downtown.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNQGiFKh7R45MhdyUUDMEm2Vec3BCbFSEJ1AynYMeZghX/spiral-building-city-town-urban-downtown.jpg)<center> [Source](dreamstime.com) </center>

## <center> WHAT APPROACH WILL MECHANICAL TURK  USE? </center>
As outlined in their whitepaper, effect aims to use the crowd-sourced input of Image Classification, audio transcribing and data labelling to teach AI.

![IMG_20180513_141318_329.jpg](https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/QmckusiBiKXr5hmj51mXLwdpZoVDHQ46ss3AM9N47EaZgj)


## <center> BUT AI ISN'T NEW, WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT EFFECT? </center>

Well... For one thing [EFFECT.AI](https://effect.ai/) is hosted on the blockchain. Which means 
- There are immutable records of all contributions.
- No middlemen(and their costs) involved.
- No bias results as input is from random contributors. 
- the entire process is decentralised.
- Everyone can contribute.
- Everyone can see your work so scammers are weeded out.
- The platform provides Incentive for contributors
- Massive userbase can be utilised. This allows testing on a wider scope, more diverse bug searches, more intensive use, and exponentially greater chance to find elusive bugs.

All these unique benefits ensure legit and accurate responses that the AI can learn from.

[EFFECT.AI](https://effect.ai/) is based on the Neo blockchain because it capable of handling high speeds of up to 10,000 transactions per second as opposed to Ethereum's abysmal 15 transactions per second. 

![IMG_20180513_141400_355.jpg](https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/QmaukitNrkBJnTtU14LdQ7U9YU3s9ae5DVvSnt1KK1nyRs)<center>[Neo](https://neo.org/) </center>


## <center> GALAXY POOL </center>

To kick-start the network in its early stages, a certain amount of tokens will be distributed to a central pool to ensure equilibrium.

![network-details.png](https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/QmQz7KcicYrobcRaEu3kieuCLq2CEe9Cn6j4titkixAfdr)


## <center> TOKEN SALE </center>

Token sale started March 24th and ended April 11th, 2018

## GET READY TO GET INVOLVED!!!

If you are good at organising various types of information or skilled at transcribing and labelling data, you can teaching AI algorithms by . If you're a smart tech AI developer, you will be able to use the Turk to train your systems in the most efficient and cost effective way.

## <center> THE EFFECT TEAM </center>

The [EFFECT.AI](https://effect.ai/) Team is made up of a capable mix who have  decades of computer, programming, entrepreneurial and technical skills with high level and academic advisers on it's advisory board. [Meet them all here](https://www.effect.ai/#people)

To find out more about the Team and the Project

visit [EFFECT.AI](https://effect.ai/) or click the links below

[WhitePaper](https://www.effect.ai/download/effect_whitepaper.pdf)

[Effect.AI LightPaper](https://www.effect.ai/download/effect_lightpaper.pdf)

[Effect.AI YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ-5wYjUkFA)

[Effect.AI Medium](https://medium.com/@effectai)

[Effect.AI Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/effectai)

[Effect.AI Twitter](https://twitter.com/effectaix)

[Effect.AI Telegram](https://t.me/effectai)

[Effect.AI Review/Explanation Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUmS2xO7hig&feature=youtu.be)

<center>
Mechanical Turk Demo </center>
https://youtube.com/watch?v=L0vGd8SWwlw

>“Everything we love about civilization is a product of intelligence, so amplifying our human intelligence with artificial intelligence has the potential of helping civilization flourish like never before – as long as we manage to keep the technology beneficial.“

~Max Tegmark, President of the Future of Life Institute

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This is a submission for the @originalworks contest [here](https://steemit.com/crypto/@originalworks/230-steem-40-bonuses-sponsored-writing-contest-effect-ai)

effect.ai2018