Yann LeCun, the AI pioneer, has left his role as Chief AI Scientist at Meta to launch Advanced Machine Intelligence Labs (AMI Labs). The new venture will focus on developing AI systems, known as 'world models', that can understand the physical world, reason, and plan complex actions, moving beyond current large language models. LeCun believes that Silicon Valley is too focused on generative AI and that Europe offers a better environment for pursuing this type of research.
AMI Labs aims to build AI that learns how the world works to function effectively outside controlled environments, with initial applications in healthcare. Alexandre LeBrun, founder of the health-tech startup Nabla, has been appointed as CEO of AMI Labs. Nabla will have early access to AMI's technologies, with the goal of creating FDA-certifiable AI systems for healthcare.
LeCun is seeking €500 million in funding for AMI Labs, potentially valuing the company at €3 billion before its launch. While Meta will not invest directly in AMI Labs, the two companies intend to collaborate. LeCun's departure from Meta follows a shift in the company's AI strategy towards more commercially-driven AI products and LLMs, with LeCun now reporting to Alexandr Wang, the new head of Meta's 'superintelligence' division.
