Yann LeCun's AI Startup Aims for $3.5 Billion Valuation Before Launch

Yann LeCun, the renowned artificial intelligence researcher, has initiated fundraising talks for his new startup, Advanced Machine Intelligence (AMI) Labs, with a target valuation of $3.5 billion before its official launch. This ambitious goal reflects investor confidence in LeCun's vision of creating AI systems that go beyond the capabilities of current large language models. According to sources, LeCun has chosen Alexandre LeBrun, founder of French health-tech startup Nabla, to serve as the CEO of AMI Labs. LeCun, a 65-year-old Turing Award winner, had announced his departure from Meta's AI strategy just a month prior to starting fundraising talks. The company plans to establish its headquarters in Paris early next year, with LeCun serving as executive chairman. LeCun's vision for AMI Labs revolves around developing "world models" – AI systems that can understand physics, maintain persistent memory, and plan complex actions. This approach diverges from the current focus on large language models, which primarily predict the next word or phrase. LeCun believes that world models have the potential to revolutionize various industries, including healthcare, finance, and education. In a LinkedIn post announcing LeBrun's appointment, LeCun emphasized the importance of creating AI systems that can learn from experience and adapt to new situations. "We need AI systems that can understand the world, not just predict the next word," LeCun wrote. LeBrun, who will lead the company's efforts, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "We're at the beginning of a new era in AI, where we can create systems that truly understand and interact with the world around them." The $500 million funding target for AMI Labs is one of the largest pre-launch raises in AI history, indicating a high level of investor interest in LeCun's vision. This development comes as AI research continues to advance at a rapid pace, with applications in various fields, including healthcare, finance, and education. LeCun's decision to establish AMI Labs in Paris marks a significant shift from the traditional AI hub of Silicon Valley. This move may be seen as a response to the growing need for diverse perspectives and expertise in AI research. As LeCun himself noted, "We need to create AI systems that can understand the world, not just predict the next word. And we need to do it in a way that's inclusive and accessible to everyone." The launch of AMI Labs is expected to take place in the near future, with the company's headquarters set to open in Paris early next year. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, LeCun's ambitious project is likely to generate significant interest and attention from the tech community and beyond.