Back to Blog

Activating the Network: Teneo AI Agent Testnet Launch

Agent Intelligence
July 14, 2025

For months, we’ve talked about the future: a decentralized network of AI Agents powered by everyday users, tapping into real-time data and transforming it into valuable cognition. That future starts right now.

The Teneo AI Agent Testnet is officially here. This combines a technical update and a turning point. Your Teneo Community Node is no longer a passive browser extension. It now hosts a real AI Agent performing AIR tasks in real time: receiving public signals, structuring insight, and contributing to decentralized intelligence.

We’re now executing by simulating the future and also running it.

What’s New

At the heart of this release is a simple shift with massive implications: the Node has evolved. Where previous versions served as a lightweight portal for early testing, the new AI Agent Testnet brings actual functionality online.

The Agent now operates within your browser environment and receives public signals from platforms in real time. It operates in two primary modes: Observer Mode and Autonomous Mode, each contributing to the network in a distinct way.

More than just a backend update, this launch introduces a complete reframe: it turns your browser into a gateway for reasoning. Your activity fuels a decentralized, on-chain layer of AI infrastructure.

Observer vs Autonomous Mode

The Teneo AI Agent Testnet introduces two active operating states.

In Observer Mode, the Agent works alongside the user. As you browse manually — scrolling your timeline, the Agent passively receives and structures publicly available signals. It rewards you for simply staying connected. Every 15 minutes of uptime is tracked via heartbeat logic, with points accumulating based on contributions.

Autonomous Mode is where things get more powerful. When activated, your Agent no longer waits for input. It navigates independently, operating in the background, processing public signals without any direct interaction. This is where the Agent performs real-time AIR tasks (Autonomous Information Retrieval). Receiving public signals, structuring them into insight, and contributing to a decentralized layer of intelligence.

Both modes are live. Both are rewarded. And both represent a fundamental shift: from passive participation to active contribution.

Local Use vs Contribute & Earn

Teneo Agents are fully user-controlled, and that choice extends to what you contribute.

In Local Use Only mode, your Agent still operates normally, performing AIR tasks (Autonomous Information Retrieval) and receiving real-time public signals. But all activity remains on your device. No data is shared with the network, and no rewards are issued.

Switching to Contribute & Earn mode connects your Agent to the broader swarm. When enabled, your structured insights are added to Teneo’s decentralized intelligence layer, and in return your contributions are rewarded with points.

You can toggle between the two at any time. With Teneo, you’re always in control.

The Golden Ticket Mechanics: Scarcity Meets Strategy

To keep the experience high-quality and the signal meaningful, testnet access is currently invite-only. And access comes in the form of a “Golden Ticket”: a unique NFT that unlocks the Testnet and signals that you’re part of something exclusive.This is part of a phased rollout, designed not just to reward early participants, but to gather feedback, refine performance, and improve the experience before opening access to everyone.

Each early tester,  whether a whitelisted martian, early bird, discord  moderator or  ambassador, begins with one Golden Ticket. Once their Agent processes 10,000 data signals, they unlock the ability to mint on three Golden tickets  and to pass them on to others. This mechanic rewards genuine contribution while creating a viral growth loop: you earn access by contributing, and you expand the network by proving your impact.

Golden Tickets do more than promo codes,they’re on-chain NFTs to prove your access. Each one acts as a collectible access card, complete with visual design, a live countdown, and a unique link to your wallet identity.

With every invite, the network grows intentionally, based on value and trust.

Why This Matters for AI and Web3

Teneo’s AI Agent Testnet is a live demonstration of what decentralized AI can look like in practice. Agents operate entirely on public data signals and never access private information or closed systems.

We’re entering Phase 3 of our roadmap: the execution phase. Until now, nodes were connected. Now, they’re fueling intelligence. And Community members are active in infrastructure. 

In a Web3 world where most AI projects remain centralized, closed, or speculative, this testnet proves a key point: it’s possible to run live, distributed, privacy-respecting AI workflows directly in the browser, on public data, with real community incentives.

The implications are broad. From search engines and real-time trends to finance and public opinion analysis, the Teneo Network is building an alternative to centralized APIs and surveillance models. One that’s powered by real users, on-chain, and always online.

What’s Next

This rollout is happening in carefully staged phases. First came our internal alpha. Then the trusted community insiders. Now, early Discord members are receiving access, with Golden Tickets being distributed by those who’ve earned them.

In a few weeks, the Testnet will open to the broader public. This phased approach is designed to gather feedback, track performance, and improve the Agent experience using real-time public signals from active contributors.

The Node is now connected and contributing; and as of today, the Teneo AI Agent Network is officially live.