Former Google AI researcher François Chollet has founded a new AIcompany called Ndea, focusing on developing artificial general intelligence (AGI). As reported by Kyle Wiggers for TechCrunch, Chollet is partnering with Zapier co-founder Mike Knoop in this venture. The company aims to create AI systems capable of human-like learning and continuous improvement.
Ndea’s approach centers on program synthesis, a technique that enables AI to solve novel problems from limited examples. The company believes this method, combined with other technologies, could overcome current limitations in AI development. Chollet, known for creating the Keras AI framework, left his position at Google in November 2023 after nearly ten years with the company. While Ndea’s funding status remains undisclosed, the company is actively recruiting for remote research positions. Knoop will step down from his operational role at Zapier but maintain his board position.
The founders emphasize their goal of developing AI systems capable of true invention and adaptation, distinguishing their approach from other AGI initiatives. This move follows a broader trend of prominent AI researchers leaving major tech companies to establish independent AI laboratories, including former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever’s recent launch of Safe Superintelligence.