Jansen Teng is the CEO and co-founder of the Virtuals Protocol, a decentralized platform enabling the co-ownership and management of AI agents across various applications. ^[1][2]

Education

Teng graduated from Imperial College London with a BSc in Biotechnology and Business Management in 2018. He served as president of the Imperial College Union Malaysian Society, where he worked on student development and welfare. ^[3]

Career

Teng founded CIPTA in 2015, a support platform that connected investors with Malaysian students in the UK and provided grants for innovative projects. He co-founded ThinAir Water in 2016, developing water-harvesting technology inspired by nature, and led a multidisciplinary team that achieved early-stage venture success, earning recognition in several competitions. From 2017, he worked as an undergraduate student researcher at Imperial College London, focusing on genetic engineering to improve water nucleation techniques. ^[4]

In 2019, he co-founded DIAM Digital Marketing, executing strategies for real estate clients and leading growth in ad spending. He co-founded Aidaro in 2020, applying AI and big data to enhance the home search experience. His tenure at Boston Consulting Group began in 2018, where he served as an associate and later a senior associate and consultant, focusing on analytics, digital banking licenses, and market studies for various Southeast Asian industries. In 2021, he co-founded Virtuals Protocol, focusing on building decentralized AI and virtual worlds. ^[4]

Interviews

AI in Gaming

On the GameSpot podcast, Teng discussed how AI influencers like Luna could disrupt the gaming industry and the challenges of building within the Web3 gaming space. He addressed the uncertainties around crypto regulation and the unique pressures of managing public perception in decentralized projects. Teng shared his experiences with the anxiety founders face, balancing personal struggles with leadership responsibilities. He also recounted how his company, PathDAO, pivoted during the 2022 market downturn, moving from a gaming guild to incubating projects incorporating AI. Despite disagreements within the community, they restructured, allowing dissenting members to exit and gain new support. Teng explained how this pivot led to Virtuals Protocol’s focus on creating AI agents for gaming and entertainment, which have since begun generating revenue. ^[5]

AI Agents

In an interview on the Mindplex Podcast, Teng discussed how Virtuals Protocol aimed to use AI agents for spontaneous behavior in gaming and entertainment. He explained that the platform allowed contributors to collaboratively create AI agents, such as a John Wick-inspired NPC, by providing data on speech, animation, and behavior. These contributors were incentivized through ownership shares managed via smart contracts. Teng highlighted how these AI agents could dynamically react to player actions, enabling emergent gameplay and making gaming experiences more unique and spontaneous. ^[6]

Panels

Universal AI

At SuperAI 2024 in Singapore, Teng participated in the “Decentralized Intelligence: The Vision for Universal AI” panel with panelists Nikhil Vadgama (DLT Science Foundation), Michael Heinrich (0G), Jake Brukhman (CoinFund), and Humayun Sheikh (Fetch.ai). They discussed decentralized intelligence and its role in achieving universal AI. Various experts from blockchain and AI backgrounds examined the multifaceted nature of decentralization, emphasizing how it applies to control, resource allocation, and participant engagement. The speakers compared decentralization in AI to Web 1, 2, and 3 developments, noting how decentralized systems allow for broader collaboration and control over AI development. While centralization offers efficiency, the panel stressed that decentralization, supported by blockchain, provides critical transparency and aligns with user interests. Real-world applications were explored, including decentralized data storage, AI agent networks, and potential decentralized gig economy solutions. The discussion highlighted the challenges and potential for a more inclusive, user-controlled AI ecosystem. ^[7]

Future of Gaming

At the Cryp2KL 2.0 Conference 2022, Teng participated in the “GameFi: Future of Gaming?” panel along with Wong Chun Weng (TavernDAO), Irene Umar (YGG SEA), and Suresh Naidu Sadasivan. Panelists explored the intersection of blockchain and gaming. They emphasized that gamers had spent billions on NFT gaming assets and noted growing interest from major companies like Ubisoft and Crafton. Unlike traditional gaming models, they discussed how blockchain introduces decentralized ownership, allowing players to earn or trade in-game assets. Despite its early stage, blockchain gaming was seen as a way to address economic and ownership issues in gaming. While they acknowledged concerns about sustainability and player growth, the panelists remained optimistic about the future of blockchain in gaming, foreseeing it as a disruptive force with the potential to bridge financial inclusion and revolutionize gaming economies. ^[8]