David Dao

David Dao is Chief Scientist at GainForest.Earth and Econ & Gov Co-Lead at Protocol Labs

A pioneer in data valuation for machine learning, David holds a PhD in AI Systems from ETH Zurich. His work, which sits at the frontier of AI and decentralized systems, has been globally recognized by the World Economic Forum, XPRIZE, and Ethereum.

Essays

GainForest's vision of an equitable biodiversity data marketplace to finance conservation and govern the natural commons.

Research

Academic website

Publications and research projects

Selected Media

The Value of Data

Protocol Labs, 2025

Long-format interview on universal data income and data valuation for machine learning.

Documentary on our work leveraging technology to restore mangroves in the Philippines.

On winning the XPRIZE Rainforest through our work with Indigenous-led AI.

Long-format interview on how AI can help tackle climate change.

Conservation Data Income

Ma Earth Podcast, 2024

Long-format interview on our work at GainForest.

WEF: A Wake-Up Call from Nature

World Economic Forum, 2022

Panel discussion on the urgent need for nature-based solutions.

On the origin story of GainForest.