Bucharest Arbitrum Hackathon hackathon experience

Everything started with a text message from Şelaru Daniel, about participating with him, and Valyn Tyler, at the Bucharest Arbitrum Hackathon. As I had no experience working with Web3 technologies, I took this as an opportunity to dive into new concepts. Therefore, I've started studying Web3, understanding the way the blockchain works, and learning how to write smart contracts.

wtf is Arbitrum Stylus?

Usually Ethereum smart contracts are written using Solidity, a language made specific for this task. Stylus is an upgrade for the Arbitrum Nitro, which is a layer 2 ETH blockchain, that lets developers build smart contracts in languages such as Rust, or C++. Long story short, Stylus ditches Solidity, and opens a door for efficiency, and all the other advantages of a compiled language such as Rust, to enter the party. The hackathon's purpose was to showcase the use of this technology.

our idea

Daniel came up with the idea of building AI models on the blockchain, with functionality of using submitted user data to enhance training, emphasising the power of decentralization within the scope of machine learning. After a few sessions of brainstorming, we concluded to have a MNIST classification model running on-chain, and training it with data received from users, that are getting rewarded based on their contribution for the AI model.

find more on the dorahacks submission

beyond developing software

This hackathon had a bigger impact on me than just learning how to use a new tool. I met extraordinary people, that were always willing to help, and the conversations I held within the event pushed me forward into expanding my web3 knowledge, and participating into future hackathons such as this one.

Thanks to the ETH Bucharest community, DoraHacks, and Arbitrum, for this amazing experience!