Humans& thinks coordination is the next frontier for AI, and they’re building a model to prove it

The European tech landscape is witnessing a burgeoning focus on advanced AI development, with a particular emphasis on fostering collaboration and sophisticated coordination capabilities. A new startup, Humans&, founded by former researchers from leading AI labs such as Anthropic, Meta, OpenAI, xAI, and Google DeepMind, is at the forefront of this movement. Their mission is to build foundation models specifically designed for complex teamwork and multi-agent interactions, moving beyond the conversational focus prevalent in many current AI systems. This strategic direction signals a potential shift towards AI that can orchestrate tasks and facilitate seamless integration within complex workflows, aligning with Europe's broader ambitions in digital sovereignty. Humans&'s approach centers on developing AI that can understand and manage collective tasks, potentially enabling sophisticated applications in areas like scientific research, project management, and even autonomous systems requiring coordinated actions. While specific technical details of their model architecture are proprietary, the implication is a focus on emergent cooperative behaviors and the ability for AI agents to reason and act in concert. This contrasts with the current generation of large language models, which primarily excel at single-user interactions or limited-form content generation. The ambition is to create AI capable of a new level of digital synergy. The implications of Humans&'s work could be far-reaching, impacting how businesses and research institutions leverage AI for complex problem-solving. By fostering AI that can coordinate, Europe could gain a competitive edge in developing next-generation digital solutions, reducing reliance on existing platforms and promoting indigenous innovation. This initiative resonates with the EU's ongoing efforts to bolster its digital infrastructure and strategic autonomy, ensuring that its advancements in AI contribute to its unique technological ecosystem. The development of such collaborative AI could pave the way for novel applications across various sectors, enhancing efficiency and driving digital transformation.