Aidan Gomez’s journey from being an intern at Google Brain in 2017 to co-founding Cohere, an AI startup that has raised money at a $5 billion valuation, is a remarkable one. His work on the “Attention Is All You Need” paper was instrumental in conceptualizing the transformer and triggering the generative artificial intelligence boom. In a recent interview, Gomez expressed his astonishment at the technological capabilities of AI models today, claiming that they have surpassed what he had expected to see even towards the end of his career.
Cohere, unlike consumer-facing products like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, focuses on creating generative AI models that can be utilized by companies to boost productivity. Research from MIT and Harvard has demonstrated significant productivity gains when knowledge workers are trained to use these models effectively. According to Gomez, the productivity lifts can be as high as 40% once users are familiar with the technology.
In June 2023, Cohere secured $270 million in funding at a $2.2 billion valuation, attracting investments from major players like Salesforce and Oracle. The startup, which began with just five people, now boasts a team of around 400 employees and is aggressively expanding its sales division. Cohere’s executives have even participated in AI forums at the White House, highlighting the company’s influence in the tech industry.
Gomez highlighted a specific use case where Cohere’s generative AI technology proved pivotal for an insurance company. By leveraging a model developed by Cohere, the insurer was able to expedite the process of submitting quotes for projects in the natural resource sector. This enabled them to outbid competitors and win contracts swiftly. By enhancing the efficiency of their actuaries through AI, the company saw a substantial increase in contract wins, showcasing the real-world impact of generative AI models.
As Cohere continues to innovate and expand its offerings, the tech industry is witnessing a paradigm shift in how AI can revolutionize processes and enhance productivity. Gomez’s vision for the future of AI in business is bold and transformative, challenging conventional norms and pushing the boundaries of what is achievable with artificial intelligence. With the support of major investors and a growing team of experts, Cohere is poised to disrupt the status quo and carve a new path in the realm of generative AI technologies.
Aidan Gomez’s trajectory from an intern at Google Brain to the co-founder of Cohere signifies the immense potential and impact of generative AI models in reshaping industries and driving innovation. As the tech landscape evolves, startups like Cohere are at the forefront of pioneering breakthroughs that redefine the possibilities of artificial intelligence in the modern era.