Humans& AI Startup Secures $480M Seed Funding from Anthropic, xAI, Google Alumni
Humans&, a promising startup founded on the principle that artificial intelligence (AI) should enhance human collaboration, has recently secured an impressive $480 million in seed funding. This substantial investment brings the company’s valuation to $4.48 billion.
Key Investors and Contributors
The seed funding round attracted significant backers, including:
- Nvidia, a major chipmaker
- Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon
- SV Angel, a prominent venture capital firm
- Google Ventures
- Emerson Collective, led by Laurene Powell Jobs
Founders and Team Background
Humans& was established just three months ago by a team of experienced AI professionals:
- Andi Peng, a former researcher at Anthropic
- Georges Harik, one of Google’s earliest employees
- Eric Zelikman and Yuchen He, ex-researchers from xAI
- Noah Goodman, a Stanford professor in psychology and computer science
The company employs around 20 professionals with backgrounds from renowned organizations such as OpenAI, Meta, and MIT.
Innovative Approach to AI Development
Humans& aims to develop software designed to foster user collaboration, resembling an AI-powered instant messaging platform. One key objective is to apply contemporary AI techniques to improve chatbot functionality, allowing them to gather and store user information for future interactions.
Vision and Future Goals
The startup envisions creating AI that acts as a vital connective element within organizations and communities. According to their website, they plan to rethink both the scaling of AI models and the nature of human-AI interactions.
They have identified a need for advancements in:
- Long-horizon and multi-agent reinforcement learning
- Memory in AI systems
- Understanding user interactions
This focus will combine scientific research with practical product development.
Continuing Impact and Future Developments
As investment interest in AI startups continues to grow, Humans& is poised to contribute significantly to the field. Their innovative approach to AI aims not only to enhance technology but also to enrich human collaboration.
