In the world of artificial intelligence, Google has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies for over a decade. The company has invested heavily in hiring some of the brightest minds in the field, and their work has resulted in some of the most impressive breakthroughs in machine learning and AI.
However, over the years, some of Google's top AI researchers have decided to leave the company to pursue other opportunities. And now, a group of ex-Google AI researchers have raised funding from Thrive Capital, a New York-based venture capital firm.
The group of researchers, which includes Timnit Gebru, Margaret Mitchell, and Alex Hanna, among others, left Google following disputes over the company's approach to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. They have since founded a new AI research organization called the Ethical AI Team.
The Ethical AI Team aims to address some of the most pressing ethical concerns surrounding AI development, including bias and discrimination. They plan to do this by conducting research, developing best practices, and partnering with organizations to promote more ethical approaches to AI.
Thrive Capital, which has previously invested in companies such as Instagram, Spotify, and Slack, is backing the Ethical AI Team with an undisclosed amount of funding. The investment will allow the team to continue its research and expand its efforts to promote ethical AI development.
The funding is a significant milestone for the Ethical AI Team, as it shows that there is a growing interest in AI development that prioritizes ethical concerns. It also highlights the increasing importance of diversity and inclusivity in the field of AI, and the need for organizations to address these issues if they want to attract and retain top talent.
In a statement, Thrive Capital founder Joshua Kushner expressed his support for the Ethical AI Team's mission, saying that the team's work is "essential for ensuring that AI is developed and deployed in a way that is ethical, transparent, and inclusive."
The investment from Thrive Capital is just the beginning for the Ethical AI Team. With their expertise and dedication to ethical AI development, the team is poised to make a significant impact in the field of AI and beyond.