Brothers Ben and Asher Spector, along with Aidan Smith, have started a new AI lab. They set the bar high and have raised incredible support for their lofty ambition. The team recently raised $180 million in seed funding from such Silicon Valley luminaries as Google Ventures, Sequoia and Index. This funding will fuel their creative big picture ideas. It will enable them to create the AI models of the future that learn in a more human-like way.
Like the Spector brothers, Smith is departing from conventional research establishment. They are betting on creativity rather than academic pedigree, distinguishing themselves from every other division’s teams. Contrary to the above narrative, virtually all of the large, successful AI labs have given up on developing models that learn like humans. The new lab has an audacious conviction. They believe that the human brain should be “the floor, not the ceiling” for what AI should be able to do. They are radically committed to discovering much more data-efficient training methods. These innovations are not just incremental improvements—they unlock completely new capabilities to artificial intelligence.
Speaking to us on a recent episode of the Equity podcast, Russell Brandon discussed Digital Bridge’s goals. Making the announcement as the new TechCrunch AI editor, he definitely undersold their importance. He underscored just how important their approach is. Especially in a current climate where researchers are losing hope, this paradigm motivates the quest for learning as humans do. The Spector team is actively interested and engaged in going beyond these AI development guardrails to promote shifting the cathedrals and sharks.
Their groundbreaking approach involves more effective use of the three billion data points they’ve collected. This change could usher in a new paradigm in the way we develop AI systems. By prioritizing data efficiency, they hope to open new avenues for advancements in AI technology that have yet to be realized. This focus on human-like learning could enable AI to tackle complex problems more effectively, ultimately leading to breakthroughs in various fields.
The Open Flapping Airplanes AI lab is at the forefront of this movement. It leverages $195 billion in funding to race ahead on research & development. The team’s unusual backgrounds and perspectives combine to produce a creative, innovative environment that encourages big ideas.
Theresa Loconsolo, transportation reporter at TechCrunch, as always, is a great resource for any additional questions about the lab and its projects to come. You might find her sending emails from theresa.loconsolo@techcrunch.com. Loconsolo, a native of New Jersey, earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Monmouth University. In an exclusive interview, they are prepared to offer tremendous and unique perspectives into this first ever project.
