FAQ
What is Heisenberg?
Heisenberg is a decentralized platform that addresses one of the core challenges of the AI era: the need for high-signal, real-time, personalized context. As AI systems grow more capable, their usefulness becomes increasingly gated by the quality and timeliness of the information they consume. Most models today are stuck behind static snapshots or hardcoded APIs. Heisenberg introduces a new layer — a dynamic information mesh — powered by modular Data Agents that continuously transform internet-scale data into structured, relevant signals tailored to downstream AI use cases.
This isn’t about scraping or aggregating data. It’s about curating a live contextual interface between the world and AI. Compute providers help make this possible by contributing idle CPU to process decentralized jobs: ingesting data, running AI pipelines, and delivering insights in real-time. By contributing, they earn points and future rewards while supporting a critical, privacy-preserving infrastructure for the age of agentic AI.
What are Data Agents?
Data Agents are AI-native modules that continuously turn raw internet data into actionable insights for other AI systems. Each one operates independently, focused on a specific domain—like crypto, gaming, or public sentiment—and performs tasks like filtering, summarizing, and structuring information for downstream use.
What is a Heisenberg Node?
A Heisenberg Node is a desktop app (Mac/Windows/Linux) that connects your computer to the Heisenberg decentralized compute network (DePIN). By running it, you contribute unused CPU power to process AI-related jobs, such as collecting data, filtering it, and running AI transformations, and earn points (and future rewards) for keeping your node online. No coding or AI knowledge required: install, run, earn.
How is my compute used by institutions?
Institutions use Heisenberg to gain real-time context for their AI models. Your compute helps by running jobs that transform raw, public data into structured signals—like trend detection, news clustering, or market movement summaries. Each job is sandboxed, ensuring your device and data remain secure.
How does Heisenberg Node work?
- Install the Heisenberg Node app and connect it to your account
- Your node runs containerized jobs (Docker) that process AI/data tasks
- You earn points for uptime and for completing compute jobs
- Data Agents can be customized or queried via prompts, MCPs and APIs
What are Heisenberg Points?
Heisenberg Points are rewards you earn for contributing resources to the network. You earn points for being available to the network (i.e., uptime points). Additional points come from referrals and from running compute-heavy jobs. Points will form the basis for future token and reward distribution.
How does the referral system work?
Once you connect your node to the Heisenberg platform, you’ll get a unique referral code in your account. Share this code with friends, community members, or anyone who might want to join the network. When they sign up using your code, they become part of your referral network and you both earn rewards.
- When your referral reaches 100 hours of uptime, they get 4,800 pts and you get 2,400 pts
- Ongoing: earn 20% of points from your Level 1 referrals, 10% from Level 2, and 5% from Level 3
Your referral network can keep growing, the more people you bring in who stay active, the more points you earn, on top of your own node uptime and compute.
What happens if I go offline?
If your node goes offline, you stop earning points. When you reconnect, point tracking resumes automatically.
I installed the app, but I see a Docker error. What should I do?
Heisenberg relies on Docker to run containerized jobs. If Docker isn’t installed or not running, the app can’t start the compute node.
Steps to fix:
- Make sure Docker Desktop is installed from docker.com
- Open Docker and let it fully launch before starting Heisenberg
- If Docker is already running and you still get errors, restart both Docker and the Heisenberg app
What if I get an error when connecting my node?
Connection errors usually happen if:
- Docker isn’t running or is misconfigured
- Your account hasn’t been activated (still on the waitlist)
- You’re using an outdated version of the app
If the issue persists, reach out to support via Discord (coming soon) or email contact@heisenberg.so
How can I see what my node is doing?
A real-time dashboard is in the works! It will let you:
- Monitor your uptime and job history
- Track referral tree and earned points
For now, your node runs tasks silently in the background using Docker.
Is this safe for my device and personal data?
Yes, the app is privacy-friendly.
Jobs run inside sandboxed Docker containers and never access personal files or track user behavior.
We only use CPU and network, no GPU, mic, camera, or disk access involved.
How much CPU does the app use? Will it slow my system down?
By default, the app uses ~30% of your CPU, depending on job intensity.
We’re planning to add a setting where you can customize your CPU contribution. You can pause anytime by disconnecting from the app.
How do I update the app?
App updates are handled automatically:
- You may be prompted when an update is required
- Or it may install in the background
If your version is too old, you’ll be blocked from connecting until it’s updated.
What happens during compute jobs? What do they do?
Compute jobs involve:
- Ingesting data (onchain, pravite, web, etc.)
- Running AI tasks like cleaning, summarization, filtering, or classification
- Returning structured results (JSON) back to Heisenberg's backend
All jobs are safe, containerized, and do not touch your local data.
How do I know I’m earning points correctly?
You’re earning points if:
- The app says “Connected”
- Docker is running in the background
- Your node is online
Live points tracking and task stats will be available soon in your dashboard.