Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, has reportedly returned to an operational role as co-chief executive of Project Prometheus, a newly established artificial intelligence startup that has secured $6.2 billion in funding, according to The New York Times, citing sources familiar with the venture.
Mr. Bezos will reportedly share the co-CEO position with Vik Bajaj. Mr. Bajaj's background includes leadership roles at Google's life sciences division, which he co-founded, and Verily, an Alphabet-owned biotech startup. He also co-founded Foresite Labs, an AI-focused affiliate of investment firm Foresite Capital, though reports indicate he recently departed Foresite Labs to join Project Prometheus.
This marks Mr. Bezos's first reported return to an operational capacity since he stepped down from his executive role at Amazon in 2021.
Project Prometheus aims to develop AI products specifically for engineering and manufacturing applications across various industrial fields, including computing, aerospace, and automobiles, the NYT reported. The company's LinkedIn profile indicates a focus on "AI for the physical economy." Reports also suggest its work may parallel that of Periodic Labs, which develops technology to accelerate scientific research through the simulation of the physical world for AI model training.
The startup is said to have already assembled a team of nearly 100 staff, including researchers previously affiliated with prominent AI firms such as Meta, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind.
Requests for comment directed to Amazon and Mr. Bajaj regarding these reports did not receive an immediate response.
