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An ex-Google researcher, who was involved in pioneering the generative AI revolution, has teamed up with a former colleague to establish an artificial intelligence startup in Tokyo.
Llion Jones, a Welshman who recently left the US tech giant, co-founded Sakana AI alongside David Ha, the former head of Google’s AI research arm in Japan. Ha, who now acts as the CEO, previously led research at Stability AI, an image AI company.
Jones, serving as Sakana’s CTO, was part of a team of eight Google researchers who developed the transformer software. This software served as a foundation for the advancement of generative AI, including chatbots like ChatGPT and Bard, as well as image generators such as Stability AI, Midjourney, and Dall-E.
The Transformers research paper was initially published in June 2017, and since then all of its co-authors have left Google to establish their own startups, as the demand for generative AI talent continues to rise worldwide. Jones was the final member of the group to depart from Google.
Sakana AI aims to create its unique generative AI model capable of producing text, images, code, and other multimedia. However, it faces stiff competition from major AI companies like Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, as well as startups including Cohere, Character.ai, and Anthropic. The field is highly competitive and well-funded, with Microsoft investing $10 billion in OpenAI this year and Cohere and Character.ai securing valuations of $2 billion and $1 billion respectively.
The name “Sakana” is derived from the Japanese word さかな (sa-ka-na), meaning fish. It symbolizes the concept of “a school of fish coming together and forming a coherent entity from simple rules.” The co-founders draw inspiration from nature, particularly from concepts like evolution and collective intelligence.
Jones and Ha believe that current AI models have limitations because they are structured like fixed and inflexible constructions such as bridges or buildings. In contrast, natural systems, which demonstrate collective intelligence, adapt and integrate with their surroundings. With this in mind, they aim to construct AI models using evolutionary computing principles, addressing concerns regarding cost and security.
The founders have chosen Tokyo as the company’s headquarters due to the highly competitive market for generative AI software developers, particularly in North America. They cite Tokyo’s exceptional technical infrastructure, well-educated workforce, and its allure for foreign talent as reasons for its unique position in fostering the growth of an AI company.
“Additionally, the availability of training data and the development of models specifically tailored for non-western societies and cultures will act as catalysts for the next technological breakthrough,” they added.
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