Boston Struggles to Lead in Generative AI as Landscape of Artificial … – Fagen wasanni

Jeremy Wertheimer, founder of ITA Software, an AI company, discusses the changing landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and Bostons place in it. ITA Software, which enabled users to compare airline flights and prices online, was acquired by Google for $700 million in 2010. Wertheimer explains that the initial AI program behind ITA, which was about 2 million lines of code, could now be achieved with just 100 or even 10 lines of code due to advances in modern computers.

The shift in AI program design, where simplicity and large amounts of data and computing power are prioritized, has led to a rise in generative AI applications like ChatGPT. However, Boston has not been at the forefront of this industry. According to market tracker CB Insights, out of the 204 recent startups backed by venture capital using generative AI technology, only five are located in Massachusetts. California leads with 112 startups, followed by New York with 37 and Texas with eight. Additionally, none of the 13 unicorn startups worth $1 billion or more are located in Massachusetts; seven are in California.

Wertheimers background at MITs Artificial Intelligence Lab in the 1980s reflects Bostons historical focus on programming complex AI systems using languages like LISP. Wertheimers AI system for finding answers to specific biology research questions in vast amounts of published research was influenced by his time at the lab. While Boston remained invested in this approach until recently, researchers in other regions, particularly New York and Canada, made significant progress in improving machine learning for AI.

ITAs software, powered by a junction tree algorithm, revolutionized the airline industry by enabling more complicated and comprehensive flight searches compared to the older mainframe-based SABRE system. After joining Google in 2010, Wertheimer oversaw the travel division, expanding Googles presence in Cambridge and witnessing the companys rapid growth. Wertheimer now focuses on machine learning for developing new drugs through his latest startup, entering a competitive space in the pharmaceutical industry.

As the landscape of AI continues to evolve, Boston faces challenges in leading the generative AI sector. The citys historical focus on complex AI programming and the rise of machine learning in other regions have contributed to this disparity. However, Wertheimers new startup aims to leverage the strong life sciences ecosystem in the Boston area and compete with other startups and pharmaceutical companies using AI applications.

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Boston Struggles to Lead in Generative AI as Landscape of Artificial ... - Fagen wasanni