April 2023: Digital artist Rhett Mankind launched Turbo, a unique meme coin experiment on the Ethereum blockchain. The project started as a performance art piece, relying entirely on AI for its development and tokenomics. Mankind used GPT-4 to outline the token’s design and branding with a budget of just $69, positioning Turbo as the first “AI-driven” meme coin project.

April 23, 2023: Following GPT-4’s guidance, Mankind developed Turbo's branding, including the name TurboToad and its mascot, Quantum Leap—a toad with futuristic, meme-worthy appeal. Mankind’s Twitter followers voted on key aspects, creating a fully community-driven experience.

April 26, 2023: After the token launch, Turbo encountered an early setback when front-running bots bought up all liquidity on Uniswap, almost ending the project. However, Mankind consulted GPT-4 again and opted for community crowdfunding to reboot the project. Within a day, Turbo raised 4 ETH from 50 community members, allowing it to resume.

May 2023: With community support, Turbo was officially relaunched as “Turbo” (symbol: $TURBO). Mankind renounced ownership of the smart contract, transferring full control to the community and embracing a decentralized structure. The Turbo mascot and brand assets were released under a Creative Commons Zero license, further establishing Turbo as a truly community-owned project.

June 2023: Turbo gained significant traction on social media, as prominent figures in the crypto community, including NFT artists and influencers, promoted the project. Notable supporters like Pranksy provided liquidity, boosting Turbo’s visibility and credibility within the meme coin market.

July 2023: Turbo’s community introduced initiatives, such as community-run Telegram and Discord channels, and even organized an art contest to celebrate the TurboToad mascot. These efforts fostered community engagement and built a strong, loyal user base.

October 2023: Turbo hit a milestone with tens of thousands of holders and a high market cap, marking its success as a community-driven, AI-assisted meme coin project. The project continued to evolve, with the community steering future decisions, demonstrating the potential for AI and community governance in Web3 project.