Brandon Da Silva is the CEO of AI Arena, a Web3 gaming platform that combines artificial intelligence with blockchain technology. ^[2]

Career

Da Silva began his professional career in early 2016 as a Financial Analyst at RN Financial Corporation in Toronto, where he focused on data analysis and financial modeling, primarily using R. Later that year, he joined OPTrust as a Machine Learning Developer in the Portfolio Construction Group, applying quantitative methods to investment research.

From late 2016 to mid-2019, he served as an Investment Analyst in the Office of the Chief Investment Officer at OPTrust, contributing to strategic investment decisions. In 2019, he transitioned to the Multi-Strategy Investing team as an Associate Portfolio Manager. In this role, he focused on advanced machine learning applications for finance, including Bayesian deep learning, reinforcement learning, and sequence prediction. He briefly remained with OPTrust part-time as a Senior Consultant in 2021 to support the investment team during the transition.

In July 2021, Da Silva founded ArenaX Labs (NRN Agents), a company based in Toronto that develops AI models for decision-making in gaming and robotics. ArenaX Labs builds tools such as no-code environments for training agents through imitation learning, gamified data labeling and training systems, and reinforcement learning platforms designed to tackle general AI challenges. He continues to serve as CEO, leading product and research efforts to integrate machine learning into interactive systems. ^[3]

Interviews

NRN Token

On the Game7 podcast GameSpot, Ronan Kir hosted Wei Xie and Da Silva, co-founders of Arena X (NRN Agents) and AI Arena, to discuss their gaming and Web3 entrepreneurial journey. They shared insights into their initial entrepreneurial fears, including uncertainties beyond their control and the pressure to ensure project security. Both had backgrounds in traditional finance, where they built trust working together since 2016, but this venture marked their first collaboration in entrepreneurship. They emphasized the importance of shared work ethics and complementary skill sets in choosing co-founders, as well as having clear expectations regarding the success of their business. Their conversation highlighted the complexities of building a startup in the Web3 space and the significant challenges that come with it, while also stressing the value of trust and moral alignment among founding members. ^[4]

Web3 Gaming

On the Living on Blockchain podcast, Da Silva discussed his background in machine learning and the evolution of his focus towards the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and gaming. He shared that his previous work involved developing algorithmic trading strategies using machine learning before he became interested in blockchain and Web3 technologies. He recognized the potential of tokenizing machine learning models. He utilized gaming as a medium for education and empowerment in AI, through which he aims to democratize AI and make it accessible to a broader audience. The conversation covered how Arena X Labs (NRN Agents) incorporates user-driven training of AI models within the gaming experience, emphasizing a gamified approach to learning about machine learning concepts. Da Silva also shared insights on upcoming initiatives, including an open beta for the game, which would allow more players to engage with AI training in a competitive yet fun environment. He highlighted the challenges of communicating the value of this innovative platform, especially in merging AI, gaming, and blockchain technologies. Still, he expressed optimism about its potential impact once players become more involved. ^[5]

Web3 x AI Gaming

In episode 121 of "Show Me the Crypto," hosts Wade Patterson and Oath Lonagram interviewed Da Silva and Wei Xie from AI Arena at the Blockchain Futurist Conference. The discussion centered on the innovative approach AI Arena took by combining blockchain gaming with artificial intelligence, creating a platform brawler game where players train AI models to compete against each other. Da Silva and Xie shared insights into their backgrounds in asset management and their love for technology, which led them to explore opportunities in crypto and gaming. They addressed the skepticism surrounding Web3 gaming and highlighted the unique coaching aspect of their game, where players directly influence the AI's fighting capabilities, likening it to a parent-child relationship. The conversation also touched on the growing interest in AI since the release of ChatGPT and the founders' mission to democratize AI through engaging gameplay, ultimately aiming to make AI concepts more accessible to the general public. Additionally, they discussed the integration of blockchain technology, emphasizing the advantages it brings to the gaming experience. ^[6]

AI Arena

On the Off-Chain Podcast, Da Silva discussed his journey into machine learning and creating AI Arena, a game designed to facilitate human-AI collaboration. Da Silva's initial interest in machine learning stemmed from a finance background, where he first encountered the application of machine learning models in predicting asset prices. He shifted his focus to gaming, using games as a testing ground for his algorithms due to their higher signal-to-noise ratio than financial markets. AI Arena's core concept revolved around training AI fighters through gameplay, enabling players to understand machine learning concepts by gamifying the learning process. The game's design emphasized player versus player dynamics, creating a non-static environment that fostered continuous learning and adaptation. During the conversation, Da Silva highlighted the educational potential of AI Arena and its goal of promoting machine learning understanding worldwide. ^[7]

Panels

Gaming Panel

In a gaming panel moderated by a GM from Dragonfly, panelists discussed the evolving landscape of Web3 games. Panelists included Da Silva, Yijia Chen from Curio, David Johansson from Blocklords, Madeira from Matrix, and Jpegape from TreasureDAO. Each panelist introduced their projects, such as AI Arena's PVP platform fighting game and Curio's social diplomacy strategy game. The conversation shifted to defining Web3 gaming, indicating varying levels of blockchain integration, like asset ownership and on-chain logic. The panelists reflected on their paths into Web3, sharing how experiences with crypto assets and games motivated them. They touched on aspects like community governance and the creative economy, emphasizing that future games might seamlessly blend traditional and decentralized elements, thereby redefining the gaming experience. ^[1]