Marcin Chady

My Graduate Story

My name is Marcin, and I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a PhD in Artificial Intelligence. Today, I work as the CEO and founder of the Canadian subsidiary of CD PROJEKT RED, a renowned game developer behind such titles as The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, where I am directly involved with AI research.

Since 2023, I have supervised a team of machine learning researchers and programmers, contributing ideas and deciding on research direction, after delegating most of my admin duties. The Canadian subsidiary was an independent studio until 2021, when it was acquired by CD PROJEKT. Our staff contributed directly to Cyberpunk 2077, Phantom Liberty, and Witcher 3 Remastered.

A Day in My Life

I've delegated most of my admin duties to other staff, so I am directly involved with AI research. I supervise a team of machine learning researchers and programmers on a daily basis, running meetings, contributing ideas and deciding on research direction. My day typically consists of multiple meetings with team members and stakeholders throughout the organisation; liaising with external partners and following up on developments in the field.

My Journey to CD PROJEKT RED

While I was studying for my PhD a friend invited me to join his startup in game AI. It ultimately didn't persist, but opened up a career path in game development, whereby I was first employed by a British game developer and later offered a job with a Canadian firm in Vancouver. I worked there for 8 years and when the company was shutting its doors in 2012 I was well positioned to start a new studio with all the knowledge and contacts I have gained. That's how Digital Scapes was created, which was later sold to CD PROJEKT RED.

My Birmingham Experience

Meeting big thinkers and big dreamers, but my studies also allowed me to explore topics that were always interesting to me, namely how human minds work and how to simulate them on a computer.

Birmingham's Impact

The biggest benefit of studying at Birmingham was being encouraged to think big. As a Polish national freshly out from behind the Iron Curtain, my ambitions were limited. I hadn't even considered doing a PhD until staff at The School of Computer Science suggested it to me. Meeting great thinkers and being invited to co-found a startup was another boost to self-confidence.

My Achievements

A PhD from Birmingham University is a validation that helped my confidence throughout my career.

Advice for Students

Be quietly confident: the world needs you whether it knows it or not.
Have an open mind: I never imagined I would do a PhD, nor that I'd get into game development.