# Introduction

In this age of AI, ORA is introducing a new mechanism, [IMO (Initial Model Offering)](https://www.ora.io/imo).

**TL;DR: IMO tokenizes AI model onchain.**

* **For AI models, IMO enables sustainable funding for open-source AI models.**
* **For ecosystems, IMO helps align values and incentives for distribution and ongoing contribution.**
* **For token holders, IMO lets anyone capture the value of AI models onchain, from sources including onchain revenue and inference assets (eg.** [**ERC-7007**](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-7007)**).**

<div data-full-width="false"><figure><img src="https://4087680299-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FllyHj70MVMOxu2WT7tZv%2Fuploads%2FDMv9x0JBr5zCxVYJChWz%2FGroup%201000006178.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e7cb750e-a0dc-4daa-906d-a0cf94b970a3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Many open-sourced AI models face the challenge in monetizing their contributions, leading to a lack of motivation for contributors and organizations alike. As a result, the AI industry is currently led by closed-source, for-profit companies. The winning formula for open-source AI models is the need to gather more funding and build in public.

With IMO, we can win the fight for open-source AI. IMO can enable the sustainability of the open-source AI model’s ecosystem by fostering long-term benefits and encouraging engagement and funding to the open-source AI community. The win is when we have better open-source models than proprietary models.

IMO tokenizes the ownership of open-source AI models, sharing its profit to the token holders.

<figure><img src="https://4087680299-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FllyHj70MVMOxu2WT7tZv%2Fuploads%2FcSQ8Hl7esyjkA5VTFRIm%2FUntitled.png?alt=media&#x26;token=44579a60-06ce-4deb-98d4-141ce8a53d4a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Learn more:

* Blog - [IMO: Initial Model Offering](https://mirror.xyz/orablog.eth/xYMD27tN23ppbKCluB9faytF_W6M1hKXTuKcfkm3D50)
* Announcement - [IMO: Initial Model Offering](https://twitter.com/OraProtocol/status/1763676800297673001)
* ETHDenver Talk - [AI Isn't Evil and Smart Contract Proves It](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fujouJ26n8)
* [Sample ERC-7641 implementation](https://github.com/ora-io/imo-token-contract)