Pete Florence, a prominent figure in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence, has departed from Google DeepMind to launch his own venture, Generalist AI. The startup aims to develop robots capable of performing a wide range of tasks, and has already secured investment from Nvidia’s venture capital arm, Nventures.
Why it matters: Florence’s move and Nvidia’s backing underscore the growing interest and investment in general-purpose robotics, an area poised to revolutionize industries by creating adaptable and versatile robotic systems.
Florence’s Background: Pete Florence has an extensive background in robotics and AI research. During his time at DeepMind, he co-authored numerous influential papers, including one released this month that introduced new AI models for controlling robots. His expertise is widely respected within the robotics community.
Generalist AI’s Vision: While specific details about Generalist AI’s technology remain under wraps, the company’s core mission is to create “general-purpose robots.” Florence envisions robots that can “do absolutely anything,” a goal he shared during a panel discussion at Nvidia’s GTC conference on March 19, 2025.
Nvidia’s Investment: The investment from Nventures is a significant endorsement of Generalist AI’s vision. Nvidia has become increasingly active in the AI and robotics space, capitalizing on its financial success in the current AI era. While the exact amount of the investment has not been disclosed, it is expected to provide Generalist AI with the resources needed to attract top talent and accelerate its research and development efforts.
Trend of DeepMind Alumni: Florence’s departure from DeepMind follows a trend of talented researchers leaving the company to launch their own startups. These ventures, including Reflection (autonomous coding), Latent Labs (biotech), and Mistral (AI), highlight the expertise cultivated within DeepMind’s research divisions.
Potential Impact: The success of Generalist AI could have far-reaching implications across multiple sectors. General-purpose robots have the potential to automate a wide range of tasks, driving down the marginal cost of physical labor. This could revolutionize industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. However, the widespread adoption of such technology also raises important questions about the future of work and the potential impact on employment.
As the robotics and AI industries continue to evolve, startups like Generalist AI are poised to push the boundaries of what is possible. With the backing of industry giants like Nvidia and the expertise of researchers like Florence, the pursuit of general-purpose robots may soon become a reality, potentially reshaping the way we interact with and utilize robotic technology.
