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While Some Call for AI Pause, AWS Launches Generative AI Accelerator
Amid calls for an industry pause on AI large language model (LLM) development, AWS has launched a program to boost generative AI startups.
The AWS Generative AI Accelerator is a 10-week program designed to take the most promising generative AI startups around the globe to the next level.
The launch comes just days after some 7,344 people -- including major industry figures Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak -- signed an open letter to Pause Giant AI Experiments, as detailed in the Virtualization & Cloud Review article, "Commercial AI Pushes Receiving More Blowback."
The letter reflects increasing complaints about big-money industry players co-opting former research-based efforts and taking things too far, too fast, as LLMs that back products like the revolutionary ChatGPT have recently made a series of tremendous technological strides.
"We call on all AI labs to immediately pause for at least 6 months the training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4," the letter states. The open letter signatories say AI labs and independent experts should pause AI advancement to jointly develop and implement a set of shared safety protocols for advanced AI design and development that are rigorously audited and overseen by independent outside experts.
AWS, however, apparently begs to differ.
"The AWS Generative AI Accelerator is designed to act as catalyst, helping some of the most promising companies in this space to take their ideas off the ground," the company said in an April 4 blog post. "With a program tailored to meet the needs of generative AI startups, the AWS Generative AI Accelerator will provide access to impactful AI models and tools, customized go-to-market strategies, machine learning stack optimization, and more. Selected startups will also have access to networking opportunities with industry luminaries, potential investors, and customers. In addition, the selected startups will receive up to $300,000 in AWS credits to build their products and services on our tech stack, as well as dedicated business and technical mentors matched based on industry vertical, market, and stage."
[Click on image for larger view.] AWS Generative AI Accelerator (source: AWS).
AWS said that in order to fully benefit from the program, applicants should have:
- A minimal viable product (MVP) already developed
- Some traction with customers
- A working program to enhance their product value proposition in order to scale
Interested organizations can learn more and apply for the program by going to its web site. Applications are open from April 4 to April 17.
About the Author
David Ramel is an editor and writer at Converge 360.