Google DeepMind Experts Seek Funding for New AI Firm
A team of scientists from Google DeepMind is in talks with investors to raise $220 million and establish their own AI firm in Paris. Laurent Sifre, a French mathematician, and Karl Tuyls, a DeepMind scientist, are the driving forces behind this ambitious project. The proposed AI firm, called Holistic, aims to focus on developing a new Large Language model (LLM).
Sifre and Tuyls have already submitted their resignation notices to Google DeepMind. Sifre has been with the company for nearly eight years and was involved in the 2016 DeepMind research on Go. Tuyls, on the other hand, specialized in game theory and multi-agent reinforcement learning.
France’s Support for AI Innovation
It comes as no surprise that the scientists have chosen France as the base for their startup, given the country’s strong affinity for technology. France boasts venture capitalists and investment angels who are eager to support innovative tech ventures, as seen in the funding provided to startups from Parisian universities and Silicon Valley AI hubs.
This move follows a trend of researchers leaving established AI companies to pursue their own ventures. OpenAI experienced leadership issues in 2023 that resulted in several senior researchers resigning from the company.
Hot Take: DeepMind Scientists Break Free to Forge Their Own Path
The decision by scientists from Google DeepMind to leave and form their own AI firm highlights the entrepreneurial spirit within the AI community. This move not only demonstrates their confidence in their abilities but also reflects the increasing demand for AI expertise. As they embark on this new journey, Sifre and Tuyls have the opportunity to push the boundaries of AI innovation and make significant contributions to the field.