Roles
Description of the main actors in the system — Model Creators, Node Operators, Validators, Delegators, and End Users.
The DeepNode ecosystem is composed of modular roles that collectively support a decentralized AI execution pipeline. Each role performs a distinct function, from model creation and compute execution to validation, capital delegation, and governance. Participants can operate independently or in combined roles, depending on their resources, technical capacity, and objectives.
Model Creators
Upload, register, and monetize AI models through the DeepNode marketplace.
Responsibilities Submit models, maintain metadata and documentation, ensure quality, and respond to feedback from validators and users.
Rewards Earn $DN from each successful model inference, receive bonded support from Backers, and build long-term reputation through consistent performance.
Requirements Machine-learning development experience and the ability to package models according to network standards and validation protocols.
Miners
Provide decentralized compute infrastructure for AI model execution.
Responsibilities Operate the Node Execution Engine, maintain uptime, process inference tasks accurately, and deliver verified results within expected timeframes.
Rewards Earn $DN for each valid task completed. High performance (including uptime, accuracy, and reliability) increases future workload allocation. May also receive delegated stake from Stakers.
Requirements Reliable CPU/GPU hardware, stable internet connection, and technical ability to maintain node performance.
Validators
Maintain accuracy, fairness, and trust across the network.
Responsibilities Validate models during onboarding, verify task outputs, assign trust scores, and monitor node and model behavior over time.
Rewards Earn $DN for timely and accurate validations. Higher trust scores lead to greater validation frequency and staking support.
Requirements Analytical and benchmarking expertise. Must remain independent and avoid conflicts of interest, including validating models or nodes they are financially associated with.
Stakers
Strengthen the network by delegating $DN to trusted participants.
Responsibilities Stake tokens to Miners and/or Validators, monitor performance, reallocate stake when necessary, and participate in governance.
Rewards Share in rewards earned by supported participants and gain proportional voting power in governance.
Requirements Hold $DN and evaluate participant metrics, reputation scores, and historical reliability.
Backers
Support high-potential models in exchange for a share of future revenue.
Responsibilities Allocate $DN to promising models and track validator feedback and performance metrics before bonding.
Rewards Receive a portion of model revenue based on adoption and usage. Early support can yield higher returns.
Requirements Sufficient $DN holdings and the ability to assess model quality, validator trust, and risk-reward profiles.
Consumers
Access and utilize AI models for real-world applications.
Responsibilities Browse available models, submit execution requests via the marketplace or API, and provide feedback through ratings or usage analytics.
Rewards Access a wide selection of validated AI models at competitive costs while influencing model reputation through usage data.
Requirements Hold $DN to pay for inference tasks and review model metadata and validator scores to make informed selections.
Domain Architects (Phase 2+)
Deploy and manage domain-specific AI subnets within the DeepNode ecosystem.
Responsibilities Design Domains with their own rules, economics, and governance. Coordinate local Miners and Validators to define incentives, and maintain quality.
Rewards Earn a share of transaction fees and activity generated within the Domain while building domain-level reputation and authority.
Requirements Expertise in AI specialization, economic design, and decentralized governance. Must stake sufficient $DN to initialize and sustain a Domain.
Role Composability and Seperation
DeepNode roles are modular yet composable, allowing participants to engage across multiple layers while maintaining system integrity.
Common combinations:
Creator + Miners
Staker + Validator
Consumer + Backer
Separation of duties:
Validators cannot validate models they created or hold financial interest in. On-chain governance and transparent audits enforce accountability and prevent conflicts of interest.
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