Key takeaways: Jeff Bezos becomes co-CEO in a new AI startup called Prometheus, aiming to build AI for the physical world.
Prometheus will focus on integrating artificial intelligence with sectors like manufacturing, robotics, heavy machinery, and everything industrial that works on ‘atoms’ and not ‘bits.’
Prometheus can be the US’ answer to China’s advanced industrial robot integrations and smart factories.
Jeff Bezos has taken the role of co-CEO in a new AI startup named Project Prometheus. What’s interesting is that this is Bezos’ first position in management since he stepped down as Amazon CEO in July 2021.
Project Prometheus describes itself as a company that focuses on ‘AI for the physical economy.’ Simply put, Prometheus will focus on the application of AI in industries that require advanced engineering and materials science.
This includes all manufacturing activities related to the production of physical goods, such as automobiles, electronics, heavy machinery, and aerospace manufacturing.
Up until now, the entire focus of artificial intelligence has been on ‘bits,’ which is why we have several Large Language Models (LLMs) today powering numerous chatbots and AI assistants.
However, Prometheus wants to focus on ‘AI for atoms,’ where artificial intelligence can be used to stimulate physics, automate factories, design physical systems, and reduce manufacturing times.
Prometheus debuts in an already overcrowded AI market where several small and big players are fighting to create a niche. However, one of Prometheus’ biggest advantages is the huge $6.2B funding it has secured, a large part of which comes from Bezos himself. This makes it one of the most well-funded early-stage startups globally.
In comparison, Periodic Labs, a company that aims to ‘automate scientific discovery’ by focusing on physical AI (much like Prometheus), raised $2B this year. So, of course, Prometheus’ chunky wallet gives it a head-start over its rivals.
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