Meet the Founder of Zenboz Modern Monks, Dropping Soon

Feeling the need to float away from all your troubles? To press pause and just take a breath? We’ve got the NFT for you, friend. Zenboz Modern Monks is a collection of 10,987 unique NFTs that give you access to a custom-built AI chatbot whose primary goal is helping you achieve maximum levels of zen. 

With amazing art, on-point tech, and a crystal clear vision, this is a PFP project with a difference. Zenboz Modern Monks will be minting on Rarible starting 24th October, 9AM ET.

This week we sat down with Shyam, the brains behind Zenboz, and got the inside scoop on this project. Shyam is a software engineer who has been coding since the age of 15. He’s worked at Nvidia and Yahoo and is currently leading the Live Streaming and Ads Experience team at Netflix. This guy knows his stuff! Read on to learn more about the vision, passion, and future of Zenboz Modern Monks.

Zenboz Modern Monks is the first NFT collection from Altrea Labs — a company focused on creating utility-backed NFT projects. What inspired you to create Altrea Labs?

Shyam: The NFT bug bit me in late 2021. I was drawn in by the concept of digital ownership and the tight-knit, community-driven nature of the projects.  

I was specifically intrigued by how these JPEGs fostered a cult-like following, but I also felt there was an untapped potential—NFT collections backed by meaningful, real-world utility.

That realization sparked the creation of Altrea Labs, a bootstrapped incubation hub with a clear vision: to build tech utility-backed NFT products. Now, in 2024, the landscape has evolved, and NFTs have moved beyond hype cycles to become meaningful disruptors. 

At Altrea Labs, my goal is to steadily develop innovative NFT-centric technologies and AI experiences, that seamlessly integrate art with technology, to deliver engaging user experiences with digital ownership.

The Monks are all about finding that sense of peace in a fast-paced, kinda crazy world. What’s your relationship or experience with mental well-being, how has that shaped the ethos of the collection?

Shyam: Life moves fast, and staying centered isn’t always easy. Challenges come at you nonstop, and when you start to lose that sense of balance, it impacts every part of your life—how you show up for your family, your work, and how you see yourself. It’s a downward spiral if you’re not careful, and I’ve learned firsthand that if you want to keep grinding without burning out, balance is essential. You have to recognize that you matter in the equation.

The idea behind Zenboz is to infuse monk-like calm into our chaotic modern lives. It’s deeply rooted in my own experiences with mental well-being and shaped by my dad’s philosophy: don’t take yourself too seriously, and always stay hopeful, no matter what. 

That mindset has kept me grounded over the years. My wife jokes that I’m “hopelessly hopeful,” and it’s true—staying optimistic, even when things get tough, has been my way of navigating the chaos. Zenboz is an extension of that belief: a reminder to find peace within, embrace who you are, and approach life with both calm and resilience.

Zenboz have taken a unique approach to naming the collection attributes — going more on vibes and concepts over simple descriptive words. In a blog post you stated that: “meta-naming introduces a layer of playfulness and poetic depth”. How important is playfulness in this project, and in the NFT space more generally?

Shyam: Playfulness is a big part of Zenboz and the way we approached the collection. Life can get heavy, fast. So, injecting some humor, curiosity, and a sense of wonder feels essential—not just in our NFTs, but in how we approach life in general. 

The attributes of Zenboz reflect that idea: they’re meant to feel more like an experience or a vibe rather than just a checkbox description. Each attribute evokes not only a visual identity but an emotional and sensory quality—like Twilight Reflection or Rooted Rapture—adding layers of meaning that go beyond the surface. We wanted each piece to invite interpretation, spark joy, and maybe even make people smile as they engage with it.

In the NFT space, I believe playfulness is vital because it keeps things from becoming purely transactional. The most successful projects build communities around shared experiences, emotions, and inside jokes — playfulness becomes a thread that connects people. 

NFTs are ultimately about more than the art or the asset; they’re about the stories and culture that form around them. This playful layer of meaning adds depth and longevity, creating emotional ties between people and their collections. 

For us, it’s not just about delivering digital ownership — it’s about inviting people into a journey that feels personal, light-hearted, and meaningful all at once.

Owning a Zenboz NFT gives the owner access to ZensAÌ —  a chatbot that offers inspirational wisdom and advice. How did you develop this chatbot, and what is the experience of interacting with it like?

Shyam: The chatbot, ZensAÌ, is designed to provide thoughtful, empathetic, and playful guidance. This is powered by a custom fine tuned OpenAI model that blends calm and personality. Instead of being a generic tool, ZensAÌ focuses on mindfulness, positivity, and self-reflection, aligning with the ethos of the Zenboz Modern Monks collection. It focuses on offering insights and emotional support, with a touch of humor. It’s like talking to a wise friend who knows when to offer wisdom and lighten the mood. 

The interaction experience is designed to feel fluid and non-judgmental. Whether you’re seeking advice, clarity, or just a bit of fun, ZensAÌ responds in a way that’s engaging and personal.  Each response also comes with a motivational quote to serve as inspiration. 

Overall, interacting with ZensAÌ is like inviting a bit of monk-like calm into your life—providing a moment of zen amidst the chaos, wrapped in playfulness, wisdom, and encouragement.

Privacy is a priority — no questions or responses are stored on the server — so users feel comfortable being open. Plus, with the 3 questions per day/per NFT owned limit, each interaction becomes intentional and meaningful, fostering thoughtful engagement rather than endless queries.

What lies ahead for Zenboz and Altrea Labs?

Shyam: Our long-term vision for Zenboz and Altrea Labs is packed with exciting ideas. We’re planning a chill zen game on the portal for downtime, Zenboz-themed apparel to extend the vibe into the real world, and a next-gen AI-powered NFT collection, currently code-named “Mythical Creatures” (priority access goes to Zenboz holders).

I’m a strong believer in NFTs backed by real utility, and my passion lies in the fusion of AI and NFTs. 

One area we are actively exploring at Altrea Labs is character-driven AI NFTs—an untapped segment with huge potential. Think of it like CryptoKitties or Pokémon, but alive: NFTs that aren’t just static collectibles but evolve through quests, interactions, and conversations. 

These AI-powered characters could serve as companions in metaverse games, interactive NPCs, or even digital pets that hang out with you.

ZensAÌ, our zen companion chatbot built for the Zenboz Modern Monks, is our first step toward this vision. It’s a taste of what’s possible when NFTs become more than just digital assets—they become engaging, evolving personalities that add real value to their owners' lives.

Zenboz Modern Monks will be minting on Rarible on 24th October, 9AM ET.