TAO is the native token of Bittensor, a decentralized network on the blockchain that enables machine learning models and validators to form a market for machine intelligence. Validators can query multiple models, rank them, and select the best ones for mining. Bittensor ensures that each validator has a say in determining valuable data, resulting in fair rewards. Validators and miners share rewards in a 50/50 model, ensuring transparency. In summary, TAO powers Bittensor's decentralized marketplace for machine intelligence, rewarding valuable data and ensuring fair distribution of rewards.