UPDATE: Leading AI researcher Eric Zelikman is making headlines as he embarks on an ambitious endeavor to raise $1 billion for his new startup, Humans&, aiming to develop AI models infused with emotional intelligence. This funding round values the startup at a staggering $4 billion, according to sources close to the situation.
Zelikman, who recently left xAI in September and is currently pursuing his PhD at Stanford University, discussed his groundbreaking plans on the No Priors Podcast. He emphasizes the need for AI systems that can learn from and empathize with users, a significant shift from the current models that he describes as “cold and machine-like.”
The timing of this funding round could not be more critical, as the AI sector experiences a surge in early-stage investments. Just this year, Thinking Machines Labs, founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, secured $2 billion in a seed round at a $12 billion valuation. Venture capitalists are increasingly betting on startups led by innovative researchers like Zelikman, anticipating that the next wave of AI breakthroughs will stem from small, talent-rich teams.
Zelikman’s vision for Humans& is clear: “The actual objective of the model needs to be to kind of understand you,” he stated in a recent interview with venture capitalist Sarah Guo. He believes that improved human-centric models could help tackle significant challenges, including curing diseases like cancer, by effectively collaborating with diverse groups of people.
As the funding round is still in progress, terms may evolve. Zelikman has not yet responded to requests for comment, but interest in this venture remains high within the tech community. With a background that includes being a machine learning intern at Microsoft and a deep learning engineer at Lazard, Zelikman is poised to lead the charge in transforming how AI interacts with humanity.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops. The implications of Zelikman’s work could reshape the landscape of AI and its applications in everyday life, making this an exciting time for both the technology sector and society at large.
