ArenaX Labs, the innovative studio responsible for AI Arena, has successfully secured $6 million in its latest funding round. The funds are earmarked for expanding the development of AI Arena, a PvP platform fighter that combines gaming, AI education, and NFTs. 

ArenaX Labs' mission is rooted in educating people about artificial intelligence (AI) and inspiring them to become AI developers. Founded in 2018 by Brandon Da Silva, Dylan Pereira, and Wei Xie, the company initially focused on indie games. However, the discovery of NFTs in 2020 led to a realization that AI could be wrapped in NFTs, leading to the inception of AI Arena.

AI Arena is a unique blend of a platform fighter akin to Super Smash Bros. and an AI training ground. The game allows players to purchase, train, and battle AI-enabled NFT characters in intense PvP matches. The ultimate goal is to climb the global leaderboard, showcasing one's AI training skills and earning rewards in native tokens called Neurons or $NRN.

The game utilizes imitation-learning, where AI characters learn skills by observing human actions. Players can assess their AI's abilities through the "AI Inspector" and strategically train them to improve weaknesses. The autonomous AI battles create engaging video content, adding an extra layer of excitement for players.

Jelo, a player from Anambra, Nigeria, became a standout example of AI Arena's success during early beta tests. Despite having no prior AI experience, Jelo developed a unique strategy, showcasing the game's potential to bridge the gap between gaming, AI education, and talent recognition.

The core objective of ArenaX Labs, as stated by co-founder Wei Xie, is to democratize AI and offer an engaging medium for understanding this transformative technology. AI Arena, set for a beta launch early this year, allows users to train their own AI-powered characters and compete in battles where player skills at AI training determine the outcome.

"I think democratization is at the core of what we do," says Wei Xie. "What we're doing is education and delivery of a true understanding and appreciation of AI through a very engaging medium of gaming."

Framework Ventures led the latest funding round, with participation from SevenX Ventures, FunPlus/Xterio, and Moore Strategic Ventures. Michael Anderson, co-founder of Framework Ventures, highlighted ArenaX's approach in creating products that encourage people to interface with and learn to train AI through the language of play.

Brandon Da Silva, CEO and co-founder of ArenaX Labs, emphasized the importance of ownership of one's AI and the opportunities it presents for talented researchers to monetize their skills through AI Arena's competitive platform.

AI Arena is not just a game; it's a project at the intersection of AI/ML, Web3, NFTs, gaming, and education. AI Arena is currently open for pre-registration, and the company plans to launch the game in beta on the Arbitrum mainnet in the near future.

ArenaX Labs' successful funding round is a testament to the growing recognition of the potential of AI in gaming, education, and the NFT space. AI Arena's upcoming launch promises a unique blend of entertainment and learning, paving the way for a new era in AI-powered gaming.