Jeff Bezos, renowned for building Amazon into a global tech giant, is making a rare return to the CEO role — this time at an innovative artificial intelligence company. After stepping back from executive duties in 2021, he now takes on the position of co-CEO in a new venture that promises to reshape research and manufacturing sectors.

The company, dubbed Project Prometheus, aims to harness AI to accelerate breakthroughs in physical industries like engineering and production — areas often overshadowed by software-focused AI applications. Unlike typical AI tools, this initiative targets tangible innovations in the “physical economy,” potentially transforming how industries operate.

Bezos’ co-CEO is Dr. Vik Bajaj, a scientist with extensive experience at Google X and Verily, both Alphabet-backed research organizations. Bajaj’s background in life sciences and AI-driven projects positions him well to lead this ambitious enterprise. According to industry experts, Bezos’ leadership could significantly accelerate AI’s impact on manufacturing and engineering, aligning with recent studies highlighting AI’s potential to boost productivity and innovation in physical industries.

What does this mean for the future of AI development? Experts suggest that Bezos’ involvement signals a strategic shift towards integrating AI into core industrial processes, opening new opportunities for technological advancement and economic growth.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.