AIIM (AI Internet-Meritocracy) is an experimental science-funding project that uses AI-assisted evaluation to distribute donated funds among scientists and free-software contributors. Whether it produces fairer or more effective outcomes than existing funding systems remains to be tested.
- Many conventional funding systems rely heavily on formal credentials, institutional affiliation, and competitive grant processes. Science DAO argues that this can leave some independent or unconventional work underfunded or under-promoted. The scale of any resulting scientific or economic loss has not been established.
- AIIM is an experimental attempt to broaden access to research funding. AIIM uses an AI-assisted workflow to assess documented contributions and inform proportional funding allocations. Whether it is fairer or more effective than existing funding systems remains to be tested. Participation is not limited to degree holders, but registration does not guarantee eligibility or payment.
Help Turn AIIM’s Beta into Evidence
AIIM remains experimental. The next proposed milestone is a five-month public adversarial test, with $1,000 planned for distribution to eligible funding recipients. Donations support the work required to run and evaluate that test.
Fund the public test → Test proposal → Independent review →
AI-generated evaluations can contain factual errors or biases; decentralized governance and non-custodial components remain under development. Public testing, auditability, and external criticism remain part of the project.