Llion Jones is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Sakana AI, a Tokyo-based startup focused on developing innovative AI solutions inspired by nature. His career combines significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence, particularly through his work on foundational AI models.

Professional Background

Current Position:

• Co-Founder & CTO at Sakana AI (August 2023 - Present)

• Location: Tokyo, Japan

Previous Experience:

• AI Research Scientist at a Stealth Startup (August 2023): Briefly worked on advanced AI projects before co-founding Sakana AI.

• Software Engineer at Google (June 2015 - August 2023): Contributed to various AI initiatives, including foundational research that shaped modern AI paradigms.

• Software Engineer at YouTube (February 2012 - June 2015): Worked on enhancing video processing and recommendation systems.

• Software Engineer at Delcam (November 2009 - January 2012): Focused on software development for CAD/CAM applications.

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham.

Sakana AI Company Overview

Founded in August 2023, Sakana AI aims to create new types of foundation models based on principles observed in nature, such as evolutionary computing and collective intelligence. The company seeks to develop AI systems that can learn and adapt similarly to natural organisms.

Core Philosophy:

The company's approach emphasizes decentralized, self-organized systems, drawing inspiration from natural phenomena like schools of fish. This philosophy aims to create specialized models that interact and learn from each other, contrasting with traditional large-scale models.

Achievements:

Sakana AI has quickly gained recognition in Japan’s growing AI ecosystem and has secured significant funding, including a recent Series A round led by prominent investors such as New Enterprise Associates and Khosla Ventures. The company is also collaborating with major corporations like Sony and NTT.

Contributions to AI Research

Llion Jones is recognized for his role in the development of foundational AI concepts:

Co-Author of "Attention is All You Need": This seminal paper introduced the transformer architecture, which has become a cornerstone of modern NLP and machine learning.

Innovative Research: At Sakana AI, he focuses on creating domain-specific models using evolutionary algorithms to merge existing open-source models into new configurations that yield effective results.

Skills and Expertise

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: Extensive experience in developing and implementing advanced AI technologies.

• Software Development: Proficient in various programming languages and frameworks used in machine learning and software engineering.

• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead technical teams and drive innovative projects from conception to execution.

Personal Insights

Llion Jones's transition from a successful career at Google to co-founding Sakana AI reflects his commitment to pioneering new approaches in artificial intelligence. His vision for Sakana AI aims not only to advance technology but also to contribute positively to Japan’s technological landscape by fostering a sovereign AI ecosystem.

In summary, Llion Jones is a leading figure in the field of artificial intelligence whose work at Sakana AI is set to redefine how foundational models are developed and utilized. His expertise and innovative mindset position him as a key player in shaping the future of AI technology.