Jeff Bezos has started a new AI company called Project Prometheus. He will serve as co-CEO of the startup. This marks his first official operational role since he left Amazon four years ago.
Massive Funding and Top Talent
The company launches with $6.2 billion in financing. Some of the money comes from Bezos himself. According to PYMNTS, the New York Times reported this news on Monday, citing three sources familiar with the project.
Project Prometheus has already hired nearly 100 employees. The team includes researchers from OpenAI, Google DeepMind and Meta. The company has kept a low profile so far. Details about when it started and where it will be based remain unclear.
Focus on Physical Applications
The startup will work on AI applications for physical tasks. These include robotics and drug design. Project Prometheus plans to develop AI systems that assist in engineering and manufacturing. The company will focus on fields such as computers, automobiles and aerospace.
This approach aligns with Bezos‘ long-standing interest in space travel. The work parallels efforts by other new companies in the field. Periodic Labs, founded by veterans from Meta, OpenAI and DeepMind, also launched this year with similar goals.
Leadership and Strategic Direction
Vik Bajaj joins Bezos as co-founder and co-CEO. Bajaj is a physicist and chemist who previously worked with Google co-founder Sergey Brin at Google X. That project produced Wing, a drone delivery service, and the technology behind Waymo, the self-driving vehicle company.
The startup joins a wave of companies applying AI to real-world tasks. These firms aim to use AI to conduct scientific experiments and speed up discoveries in chemistry and physics. By examining large-scale experiments, AI systems can learn to carry out research largely on their own.
Project Prometheus represents a significant bet on AI’s ability to transform manufacturing and engineering. The company’s focus on physical applications sets it apart from many AI startups that concentrate on software alone. With substantial funding and experienced leadership, the startup enters the market with strong backing and clear technical goals.
