Periodic Labs is a startup co-founded by former OpenAI researcher Liam Fedus and former Google Brain colleague Ekin Dogus Cubuk. The company successfully raised $300 million in funding last month, led by Felicis, with numerous top angel investors and venture capital firms participating.
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The establishment of Periodic Labs originated from a discussion between Fedus and Cubuk. About seven months ago, the two realized that the time was right and decided to apply generative AI technology to scientific discovery, promoting the integration of experimental science and machine learning. Cubuk mentioned that recent technological advances have made robotic arms for material synthesis reliable, and machine learning simulation technology is efficient enough to accurately simulate complex physical systems. The combination of these technologies has made them believe that AI can completely change the way materials science is researched.
Fedus's work experience at OpenAI, including his involvement in the ChatGPT project and the optimization of its subsequent models, has given him a deep background in the AI field. They believe that even failed experimental data can provide valuable training material for AI, thereby changing the incentive mechanism in the scientific community that focuses on success.
After Fedus decided to leave OpenAI, his news attracted great attention in the venture capital world. Several investors even expressed their strong interest in Periodic Labs in the form of "love letters." Peter Deng, an investor at Felicis, contacted Fedus immediately and quickly decided to invest. Deng deeply understood during his communication with Fedus that actual experiments and scientific exploration are crucial for the development of AI.
Currently, Periodic Labs has assembled a team of top AI and science experts, established a laboratory, and begun research on new superconducting materials. Although still in the setup phase, the team hopes to drive breakthroughs in materials science through AI technology to find more efficient technical solutions.
Key points:
🌟 Periodic Labs was founded by top AI researchers and successfully raised $300 million.
🔬 The startup aims to drive breakthroughs and experimental research in materials science through AI.
🤝 The venture capital world has shown great interest, with investors acting quickly to express their strong interest.
