Benten AI Unveils Plan to Democratize AGI, Seeks $10M Seed Funding
Boise-based startup launches open platform to empower global collaboration in AI development
Boise, Idaho - October 18, 2024 - Benten Alignment Inc. (Benten AI), a pioneering startup, today unveiled its ambitious plan to democratize artificial general intelligence (AGI) development through a decentralized, open ecosystem. Founded in 2023 by AI systems researcher Ben Parisi, the company is seeking $10 million in seed funding to create a self-reinforcing cycle of AI innovation driven by collective intelligence rather than centralized development and ownership.
"AI's potential to revolutionize our world is unlimited, but its development is currently confined to just a handful of organizations," said Ben Parisi, Founder and CEO of Benten Alignment Inc. "We're building a platform that democratizes AI, putting its power into everyone's hands and ensuring its evolution aligns with humanity's diverse values and needs."
Benten AI's approach to realigning the AI ecosystem relies on three key components:
Democratized AI: An open-source platform where users create and share AI capabilities through Extensions, continuously enhancing the ecosystem's abilities, affordably powered by our RAIN Cloud network of user’s computers.
Collaborative Social Media: AI-enhanced digital spaces for work, socialization, and collaboration, scaling from small group projects to global challenges.
Knowledge Cultivation: Zai Forest, a decentralized knowledge base where user interactions create a self-improving cycle of AI knowledge and capabilities.
These components are unified by the Flow token, a digital asset that rewards valuable contributions such as sharing compute resources, creating quality content, or developing AI Extensions. By providing tangible incentives for participation, Flow ensures the ecosystem's growth benefits everyone, creating a self-sustaining cycle of innovation and collaboration.
"Benten Alignment Inc. isn't just an AI company; it's an attempt to realign everyone’s relationship with technology," said Parisi. "Our approach has the potential to unleash a wave of innovation reminiscent of the early internet era, but with far-reaching implications for individual empowerment and the strengthening of our various communities."
The platform's potential applications span multiple sectors:
Facilitating global research collaboration on complex issues like climate change and disease prevention
Democratizing access to cutting-edge AI tools for individuals and organizations
Developing more ethical and diverse AI systems that reflect a broader spectrum of human knowledge and values
The $10 million seed funding will drive Benten AI's ambitious roadmap:
Months 1-3: Beta launch of RAIN Cloud and Benten Avatar AI framework
Months 4-9: Introduction of collaborative social spaces and Zai Forest beta
Months 10-18: Full ecosystem integration and deployment of context-specific AI assistants
Month 18 Goal: Achieve 1 million monthly active users
Based in Boise, Idaho, Benten AI is strategically positioned to bridge Silicon Valley innovation with America's productive heartland, bringing a fresh perspective to AI development.
"We're pioneering a new model where AGI emerges from the bottom-up needs and priorities of our world," Parisi added. "By democratizing AI development, we're fostering a global ecosystem where AI serves the broader interests of society and remains intrinsically aligned with our diverse human values as it grows more powerful."
Investors and potential partners interested in democratizing the future of AI are encouraged to reach out via the company's website or contact ben@benten.ai directly.
About Benten Alignment Inc.:
Benten AI is pioneering a new model for AGI development where advancement emerges from collective intelligence rather than centralized ownership. Our open-source framework enables users to create and share AI capabilities through Extensions and enrich a global knowledge base that powers increasingly capable AI assistants. This creates a virtuous cycle: as users contribute knowledge, capabilities and computing resources, the ecosystem becomes more powerful, inclusive, and ethically aligned.
Contact:
Ben Parisi
Founder & CEO
Benten Alignment Inc.
ben@benten.ai
+1 (208) 918-1801
