Key Takeaways
- Yann Le Cun, a leading figure in the field of artificial intelligence, is launching his own start-up called AMI (Advanced Machine Intelligence)
- The start-up aims to usher in a new era for AI, focusing on industrial and robotics applications
- Le Cun’s departure from Meta was due to strategic disagreements and critiques of the company’s direction
- The company’s headquarters will be in Paris, with an estimated fundraising of €500 million
- Le Cun has already recruited key team members, including Laurent Solly and Alex LeBrun
Introduction to Yann Le Cun and His New Venture
Yann Le Cun, a renowned expert in the field of artificial intelligence, is embarking on a new chapter in his life. At 65, with his signature Ray-Ban Wayfarer glasses and bright blue eyes, Le Cun is determined to make a significant impact with his new start-up, AMI (Advanced Machine Intelligence). As a leading figure in the field of AI, Le Cun has laid the foundations of modern AI as a researcher, earning him the prestigious 2018 Turing Award alongside colleagues Yoshua Bengio and Geoffrey Hinton. With over 12 years of experience leading AI research at Meta, Le Cun is now ready to take on a new challenge.
The Vision Behind AMI
Le Cun’s vision for AMI is to create a "global company" that will help usher in a new era for AI. As he stated, "After deep learning 12 years ago, and the rise of chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini three years ago, we are about to see a third revolution: AI systems that can understand the real, physical world." This new revolution will focus on industrial and robotics applications, which Le Cun believes will have a significant impact on various industries. With AMI, Le Cun aims to make AI more accessible and applicable to real-world problems, enabling companies to leverage the power of AI to improve their operations and services.
Recruitment and Funding
Although Le Cun is keeping the details of his fundraising under wraps until formal announcements in February, it is estimated that the company has raised around €500 million. The company’s headquarters will be in Paris, and Le Cun has already recruited key team members, including Laurent Solly, the former director of Meta France, and Alex LeBrun, founder of the health-focused AI start-up Nabla. Le Cun’s ability to attract top talent to his new venture is a testament to his reputation and expertise in the field of AI.
Le Cun’s Departure from Meta
Le Cun’s departure from Meta was not without controversy. He made no secret that his departure was tied to strategic disagreements with the company. Additionally, Le Cun has been critical of the "authoritarian drift" of US President Donald Trump and those who support him, such as Elon Musk. Le Cun’s critiques of Meta’s direction and his disagreements with the company’s leadership ultimately led to his decision to leave and start his own venture. As a leading expert in the field of AI, Le Cun’s departure from Meta is a significant loss for the company, but it also presents an opportunity for him to pursue his vision for AI without any constraints.
The Future of AI
As Le Cun embarks on this new chapter in his life, he is excited about the potential of AI to transform various industries. With AMI, he aims to make AI more accessible and applicable to real-world problems, enabling companies to leverage the power of AI to improve their operations and services. As Le Cun stated, "We are about to see a third revolution: AI systems that can understand the real, physical world." This revolution will have a significant impact on various industries, from manufacturing to healthcare, and will enable companies to improve their efficiency, productivity, and decision-making. With AMI, Le Cun is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of AI and its applications in various industries.
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2026/01/16/yann-le-cun-why-i-m-leaving-meta-to-launch-my-own-ai-start-up_6749498_19.html