https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/meta-axed-his-ai-biology-research-team-now-this-meta-ai-mafia-member-s-new-startup-has-142-million-to-chase-his-protein-generating-dream/ar-BB1oQNmV?item=flightsprg-tipsubsc-v1a?season=2024
Meta axed his AI biology research team. Now this ‘Meta AI Mafia’ member’s new startup has $142 million to chase his protein-generating dream
Story by Sharon Goldman
In August 2023, Meta decided to disband a specialized research group of twelve scientists dedicated to the development of an artificial intelligence large language model tailored for biology applications. This decision was a part of Mark Zuckerberg's broader strategy, referred to as his “year of efficiency”, which resulted in over 20,000 layoffs across the company.
However, Alexander Rives, who formerly led what was known as Meta’s “AI protein team”, was not deterred by the company's strategic pivot. In the face of Meta’s decision, Rives swiftly initiated a startup, bringing together a select group of his collaborators from Meta. The startup, named EvolutionaryScale, aims to continue and expand upon their groundbreaking work on large language models. Unlike conventional models designed for generating text, images, or videos, EvolutionaryScale's models are engineered to synthesize new proteins.
This pioneering venture seeks to make biology programmable. For instance, the technology has the potential to revolutionize fields such as drug development and cancer treatment by creating custom antibodies, or in environmental conservation, through designing enzymes capable of breaking down plastics. Scientists could input specific functions they desire from a protein, including any constraints related to toxicity to humans, and the AI model would deliver a DNA blueprint for producing that exact protein.
Rives and his team at EvolutionaryScale see this technology as a crucial step forward in biotechnology, opening up new pathways for innovation across a wide array of industries and applications.
ME: Please summarize in one sentence
[AI]: In August 2023, after Meta disbanded its AI biology research team, Alexander Rives launched EvolutionaryScale, a startup with $142 million in funding aimed at developing artificial intelligence models to generate new proteins for applications in drug development, cancer treatment, and environmental conservation.