Here’s what Jeff Bezos’ new startup Prometheus will do (arstechnica.com)

Jeff Bezos has unveiled more details about his new startup, Prometheus, focused on "physical AI," which aims to apply deep learning principles akin to those found in generative AI to fields like robotics and manufacturing. The company has secured $12 billion in a recent funding round, following an initial raise of $6.2 billion, bringing its valuation to $41 billion. Major financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, are investors, along with significant contributions from Bezos himself. With a current team of 150, much of the funding will be allocated to acquiring necessary computational resources due to the compute-intensive nature of their work. Prometheus aims to create what Bezos describes as an "artificial general engineer," a tool designed to accelerate the process of invention by leveraging advanced AI techniques. Bezos likens the potential societal impact of this initiative to historical inventions such as the plow and the steam engine, emphasizing that the right tools can drive significant wealth and innovation. This focus on enhancing human creativity with AI technologies could revolutionize manufacturing and problem-solving capabilities, making Prometheus a noteworthy contender in the evolving landscape of AI/ML applications.