Three students from Grand Canyon University (GCU) are spending their summer interning at ChainCurrent AI, a start-up focused on developing artificial intelligence tools for cryptocurrency markets. The company’s mission is to provide unbiased insights into these markets while promoting ethical financial practices rooted in biblical values.
Matthew Edelson, Kai Gesino, and Alex Fried, all computer science majors at GCU, are contributing to the development of VeraTron AI. This crypto analytics platform aims to track market trends and encourage responsible financial stewardship through a gamified system with a point-based approach.
Stephen Markey, founder and CEO of ChainCurrent AI, expressed his appreciation for the alignment between GCU’s mission and that of his company. “When we reached out to Dr. Isac Artzi this spring, we could never have predicted how powerfully aligned GCU’s mission would be with our own,” he said. He further explained that the platform aims to help users make informed decisions by translating data into actionable insights.
The company’s website will feature Bible verses related to money alongside messages encouraging ethical financial decisions. Markey emphasized that their goal is not just to create another fintech platform but “to build the right kind of platform.”
Edelson focuses on creating models to identify promising cryptocurrencies and educate people about them. He attributes his understanding of financial ethics to his upbringing: “My grandparents and my mom always gave generously. They taught me that money should be used to bless others.” Edelson also sees parallels between data science in cryptocurrency and sports analytics.
Fried serves as the AI accessibility lead, working on both back-end development and product design. His experience in inclusive design began with a virtual reality job training tool project at GCU for students with learning differences. “What I love about this company is that we’re not just building a product; we’re trying to do it in a way that reflects our values,” Fried said.
Gesino works on creating AI prompts for various question types within the system. He finds value in collaborating with friends on projects: “It’s way better than working with people you don’t know.”
All three students acknowledge the impact AI will have on future job markets but view it as an opportunity rather than a threat. Edelson noted, “AI will take some jobs… But we adapt.” Fried added that internships like theirs are crucial for gaining necessary experience.
Dr. Isac Artzi has played a significant role in guiding these students toward their internships at ChainCurrent AI. Fried remarked, “Dr. Artzi not only teaches the skills we’re applying right now… The connections we’ve made at GCU have changed our paths.”
Student writer Leandra Lepp can be reached at [email protected].
