Artificial intelligence (AI)-focused company ObEN has entered into a partnership with Tsinghua University PBC School of Finance (PBCSF), to establish a Blockchain Research Center.

In addition to ObEN, Tsinghua PBCSF aka the Wudaokou School of Finance, is joined by Tencent, Gao Rong Venture Capital and more, who have pledged $5 million over the next five years to support the initiative. ObEN, on its part, has announced $1 million donation to the project.

“ObEN is very pleased to join Tsinghua University PBCSF to form this new Blockchain Research Center and advance the adoption, research, and application of blockchain technology,” said Adam Zheng, ObEN COO and co-founder. “China is a very important market for ObEN, and its citizens have been incredibly keen on the adoption of this new technology. Supporting research into the effective integration of blockchain from both a technology and policy perspective will have a positive effect for the blockchain industry worldwide.”

The Blockchain Research Center aims to make PBCSF an incubator and knowledge center for the exploration of blockchain technology in China and beyond. It will support academic study, technology innovation, use case exploration, policy recommendation, as well as nurture new blockchain talent and forging meaningful partnerships within the blockchain industry.

Founded in 2014, ObEN is developing Personal AI (PAI) technology that revolutionizes personal digital interaction. PAIs – intelligent 3D avatars that look, talk, and even sing like the user – can serve as the digital representative for the user.

Blockchain is a core component of ObEN’s technology. In order to maintain security and data sovereignty for the individual, ObEN secures all PAIs and the associated user data on the Project PAI blockchain protocol. ObEN’s first application on the PAI blockchain will be available in mid-2018.