Matrix was happy to launch its highly anticipated mainnet on the 18th of February. Following the mainnet launch was a special AMA that gave users great insight in to Matrix’s current development and future plans. While the AMA covered a plethora of questions from the community, the purpose of this article is to highlight only the juiciest and bullish parts for your convenience!

Q: “In what ways does Matrix intend to outperform competitors in the field of AI and EDGE computing?”

A: “In the arena of AI, one advantage of MATRIX is that we have an integrated solution to protect the interests of data providers, model developers, and application designers. The blockchain is used as a trustworthy ledger to keep track of the data and model usage so that the contributions of data providers and model developers can share the return of applications. Another advantage is that we are able to organize the nodes on the blockchain into a super computer. Since only a small of number of nodes are involved in mining, the remaining nodes can export their computing power.

In terms of edge computing, MATRIX will integrate both cloud and edge computing models for IoT applications. In fact, the customized mining machines of MATRIX are just machine learning accelerators, which can be seamlessly integrated and used as the computing nodes in edge computing.”

Q: “Does Matrix AI network intend to provide debugging services to other Block-chains and their associated contracts/dapps?

Matrix’s position in China Standard Beijing Huabiao Weiye Technology Development Co. Ltd

can be leveraged to make Matrix a recognised auditor …. what steps, if any, are you taking to open Matrix up to this market?”

A: “We plan to offer debugging services to other blockchain projects. As for the China Standard Beijing Huabiao, we have formed a committee and are developing certain blockchain industry standards. After, the next step will be to promote these standards to more and more relevant companies and organizations.”

Q: “What strategic advantages does Matrix AI have over competitors in the (AI assisted) diagnostics space ?What specific milestones have been achieved with partnered hospitals ?”

A: “We are now closely cooperating with the Shanghai Huadong Hospital and the Shanghai Pulmonary Medicine Hospital. These are the best Chinese hospitals in CT imaging and lung cancer treatment.”

“First, we are targeting a few very challenging problems which depends on treatment records and other laboratory tests. Second, we are collaborating with leading hospitals to develop cutting-edge research. In 2009, I got support for cancer immunotherapy from the Chinese National Science Foundation and China Ministry of Science and Technology. Third, we have high quality patient data from early screening, to CT imaging, until biopsy. So far we have the data of over 2,000 patients and all data are labeled by the best doctors of China.”- Dr. Deng Matrix Chief AI Scientist

“ We have world-class algorithms and AI scientists who have won several international competitions. Second, I believe that distributed AI networks — rather than centralized solutions — will be the driving force behind the evolution and development of AI algorithms.”

“I’d like to add one last thing about our work with hospitals. There are already several hospitals that have started using our cancer diagnosis system. A large number of international hospitals have also already expressed interest in using our technology.”- Matrix CEO Owen Tao

Q: When will be smart contracts ready? When natural language [contracts]?

A: This April, we will have the 1st generation smart contract verification toolkit online. A more comprehensive version will be ready in the latter half of 2019. As for natural language intelligent contracts, we plan to release a template-based version in the latter half of 2019.

Q: “How will Matrix AI holders directly benefit from the MBC Project (involving PetroChina) if they are using a sidechain and are not charged fees in MAN? Can you give more details on this arrangement?”

A: The MBC Project’s applications and operations will use the computing power and related resources of the Matrix AI Network, which means they will use MAN to pay for these services.

Q: “the use of cryptocurrencies is difficult in China. It is understandable if Matrix cannot deal with Chinese entities exclusively in MAN tokens as payment etc. With that in mind, in what ways can Matrix ensure the usage of the MAN token? Any ideas or plans about that?”

A: “The first thing I’d like to say is that we are designing the Matrix AI Network to be a global network, rather than a platform that solely serves the Chinese market. To specifically answer your question, there are several companies who can work with us to serve as a proxy or gateway for payment settlements in China. We do not foresee this being a huge problem.”

Q: “In the last AMA, you mentioned some level of integration or use in Smart City projects? can we have any details or future plans regarding this?”

A: “The Matrix AI Network is already actively carrying out work in several so-called Smart City projects. One thing I can share is a smart platform we are making as part of a Smart City Firefighting and fire-prevention project.We will likely share more information about this project in the coming months.”

Q: “We see large (Chinese) tech companies moving heavily in to AI… Do you intend to supply these companies with computational power?”

A: Yes! We have every intention to provide computational power to individuals, companies and other organizations. Our hope is that, in the future, everyone will have access to AI computing services.

Q: “What patents has Matrix AI secured and what entity owns the rights to those patents?”

A: “We have secured several patents including patents relating to our node deployment and election methods, blockchain architecture, and transaction verification techniques, just to name a few. All rights belong to the Matrix Foundation.”- Matrix CEO Owen Tao

“ Matrix’s Chief Network Architect, Bill Li, and I have applied, or are in the process of applying, for 30 additional patents related to AI technologies in industrial systems. Many of the patents are specific to applications in high-speed rail, although the data processing, AI models and system integration can be generalized to other hardware and software systems, from self-evolving blockchains to smart cities.”- Dr. Deng Matrix Chief AI Scientist

Q: “Can we have updates concerning your partnerships? How will the shipping company partnership increase market share? What progress has been made with OBOR? Is the hospital using MAN on a wide scale basis? What is going on with the subway deal?”

A: “I would be happy to provide updates about several of our partnerships.

The cooperation with the MBC project will greatly expand our reach in the logistics industry and provide us even more market participation opportunities in projects along the Belt and Road.

We are currently participating in several logistics projects related to the “Yu Xin Ou” route (“渝新欧”). This is the railway development project linking Chongqing to Europe. We are also beginning to arrange AI development platforms and digital railway management systems in other countries along the Belt and Road .

. There are already multiple hospitals using Matrix’s cancer diagnostic system .

. The previously mentioned subway project is still ongoing. We will have a progress update to share soon.

As for our plans for AI, there are several new developments — too many to write here. We will update out whitepaper in the near future. The updated whitepaper will include details about our future plans.”

Q: “Are there news/follow ups concerning the external financial audits that were planned and announced during the last AMA?”

A: “ Yes! The Matrix Foundation is currently actively working with Ernst & Young to complete the first year audit.”

What is Matrix AI Network?

“Matrix AI Network is a platform which incorporates blockchain and AI to enable the realization of the Intelligent Blockchain. The use of AI allows innovations such as natural-language smart contracts (Intelligent Contracts), continual network optimization, formal contract security verification, as well as numerous other tasks. — Matrix AI Network”