DeepMind Robotics Pioneer Exits Google: Nvidia Backs His Exciting New Startup!

A former senior research scientist at DeepMind is venturing into the world of robotics. Pete Florence, who worked on AI and robotics, has left Google to start his own company called Generalist AI. This new startup has already secured investment from Nvidia, which is a notable achievement, given Nvidia’s significant influence in the tech space.

Florence was announced as the co-founder and CEO of Generalist AI at Nvidia’s recent GTC conference. There, he shared insights with other startups supported by Nvidia’s venture capital arm, NVentures. This firm has gained momentum recently due to Nvidia’s booming success in the AI sector.

Florence’s vision for his startup is ambitious. He defined the mission as creating general-purpose robots that can handle various tasks. He mentioned, “We are largely still in stealth,” indicating that they are working quietly behind the scenes for now. He left DeepMind about a year ago, and Kamyar Ghasemipour, another former DeepMind researcher, has joined him as a founding technical staff member.

Florence isn’t the only DeepMind alumnus making waves. Others have also launched their own companies, focusing on diverse fields from biotech to autonomous coding. This trend highlights how talent in AI is branching out, sparking innovation across the industry.

DeepMind itself continues to advance in robotics, recently publishing new AI models for robot control. Interestingly, Florence’s previous research is cited in the announcement of these models, showcasing his lasting impact in the field.

When asked about the potential success of Generalist AI, Florence painted an intriguing picture. He said, “Imagine a world where the marginal cost of physical labor is driven to zero.” This could radically change industries and everyday life.

The drive towards advanced robotics is reflective of a larger trend in the tech world, where automation is increasingly seen as a solution for productivity and labor shortages. According to a recent survey by McKinsey, nearly 50% of current work activities could be automated using existing technology, further emphasizing the importance and urgency of this field.

As startups like Generalist AI develop, the landscape of work and technology could shift dramatically. The focus on versatile robots could redefine how we think about labor and productivity.

For more details on cutting-edge AI developments, you can visit the DeepMind research report.

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