A major innovation is emerging from the technology ecosystem with the creation of the startup /dev/agents, led by leaders from Google and Meta. This ambitious initiative recently raised 56 million dollars, funding aimed at shaping artificial intelligence agents capable of transforming our interaction with modern technologies. The stakes are high: to build a solid foundation enabling the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence in practical and reliable applications. Autonomous and efficient agents will evolve to interact subtly with users, making vast functionalities more accessible. The founders aim to eliminate the barriers to integrating artificial intelligence into our daily lives, thus offering a future where machines become trusted allies in everyday tasks.
A significant fundraising
The startup /dev/agents, co-founded by former leaders of major companies such as Google and Meta, recently announced a fundraising of 56 million dollars. This initial funding aims to develop what the founders call a “operating system for artificial intelligence agents.” This initiative fits into a desire to transform the landscape of AI technologies.
The support of renowned investors
The funding round was led by Index Ventures, with participation from CapitalG, the independent growth fund of Alphabet Inc. Several individual investors also joined this round, including tech icons like Alexandr Wang of Scale AI, Andrej Karpathy, co-founder of OpenAI, and Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks.
A team of experts
David Singleton, co-founder and CEO of /dev/agents, has an impressive background. Former CTO of Stripe, he also served as vice president of engineering at Google, working on Android. Within this startup, he has assembled collaborators with experience in operating system development. This team intends to build a solid foundation to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.
The co-founders of the startup
The co-founders include Hugo Barra, former vice president of virtual reality at Meta, as well as Ficus Kirkpatrick, the current CTO, who also worked on Android. Nicholas Jitkoff, the head of design, previously contributed to the development of Chrome OS at Google. These experts combine diverse skills to address current challenges in AI.
A promise of autonomy for AI agents
The artificial intelligence agents developed by the startup stand out for their ability to process information while executing tasks without human intervention. They go beyond simple chatbots by integrating tool usage features to act autonomously, making decisions based on reasoning similar to that of humans. For example, they can send emails, prepare tweets, or generate reports.
Revolutionizing interaction with software
The main players in the startup believe that modern AI fundamentally transforms the everyday use of software. This change allows for viewing computers not just as tools, but as collaborative partners. This partnership between humans and AI could redefine our interaction with technology.
The challenges to overcome
Singleton emphasizes the many obstacles to be overcome to make this vision possible. The startup plans to refresh user interface models, rethink privacy standards, and significantly simplify the creation of artificial intelligence agents.
Building a connected future
/dev/agents intends to create a cloud-based operating system that allows trusted AI agents to operate on all types of devices. The goal is to develop a platform similar to Android, paving the way for the widespread adoption of intelligent agents.
Rethinking the Development Landscape
The startup emphasizes that the current environment for developing AI applications is fragmented, which hinders their adoption. To expand access to AI agents, it is essential to rethink software architecture, introduce new tools for developers, and envision designs centered on the AI agent.
Future perspectives
Nina Achadjian, partner at Index Ventures, discusses a possible transformation of our daily life thanks to the “agentic future.” This rapidly evolving field represents vast potential for businesses. The synergies between human intelligence and artificial intelligence could reshape our relationship with the digital world.
Frequently asked questions about /dev/agents and its artificial intelligence agents
What is /dev/agents?
/dev/agents is a new startup co-founded by former executives from Google, Stripe, and Meta. It focuses on developing an operating system for artificial intelligence agents.
Who are the co-founders of /dev/agents?
The co-founders include David Singleton, former CTO of Stripe, Hugo Barra, former VP of Oculus at Meta, and Ficus Kirkpatrick, former VP of augmented and virtual reality at Meta.
How much money has /dev/agents raised in its first funding round?
/dev/agents raised 56 million dollars during its initial funding to develop its artificial intelligence agents.
Who invested in /dev/agents?
The financing was led by Index Ventures and co-led by CapitalG, with participation from other investors such as industry leaders and angel investors.
What is the main goal of /dev/agents?
The main goal of /dev/agents is to create a platform that allows developers to design and build artificial intelligence agents capable of interacting autonomously while integrating tool usage capabilities.
How do the artificial intelligence agents of /dev/agents differ from classic chatbots?
The artificial intelligence agents of /dev/agents do not simply answer questions or summarize documents; they execute tasks autonomously, such as sending emails or managing IT resources, using human-like reasoning to make decisions.
What is the major challenge that /dev/agents aims to tackle?
The major challenge is to eliminate barriers to the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence agents by developing new user interfaces, a rethought privacy model, and a simplified development platform.
What types of tasks can artificial intelligence agents perform?
The agents can perform a multitude of tasks, such as sending information, drafting reports, correcting code errors, and adjusting IT resources based on needs.
In which sector does /dev/agents plan to operate mainly?
/dev/agents plans to operate across various sectors, including information technology, task automation, and customer interactions to improve business efficiency.
What does the ‘agentic’ future mentioned by the co-founders mean?
The ‘agentic’ future refers to a vision where software and artificial intelligence agents work as intelligently and collaboratively as humans, thus redefining our interaction with technology.
