Co-creators of leading AI models from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Meta are departing their companies to establish new AI laboratories, according to The Decoder. These startups, often called "neolabs," have collectively raised billions in funding despite having no market-ready products yet. The trend reflects growing confidence in the proximity or arrival of artificial general intelligence (AGI).
The Decoder reports there are currently 45 neolabs categorized by their distinct research approaches. Meanwhile, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has publicly stated that AGI has arrived, echoing OpenAI's own messaging about entering an AGI era. This shift signals a major reconfiguration of the AI development landscape as innovation decentralizes from established giants.
For Japanese investors and market participants, this movement highlights potential opportunities and risks in AI-related equities and venture funding, as the industry undergoes rapid transformation driven by new players and aggressive research bets.