Yann LeCun Plans $3.5 Billion AI Startup After Leaving Meta

Outgoing Yann LeCun, Chief AI Scientist at Meta, is in early discussions to raise €500 million (about $586 million) for a new artificial intelligence startup. The funding round would value the company at approximately €3 billion before its official launch.

LeCun has reportedly appointed Alexandre LeBrun, founder of French health tech company Nabla, as chief executive of the new venture. The startup aims to develop AI systems based on "world models" that can interpret and interact with the physical world, with potential uses in robotics and transportation.

LeCun announced last month that he would depart Meta by the end of the year to focus on building a new generation of superintelligent AI systems. He is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of deep learning and a recipient of the 2018 Turing Award.

The high valuation and strong investor interest prior to launch come amid broader concerns in the technology sector about inflated valuations and speculative enthusiasm for AI initiatives.