A Young Visionary Gathers Top AI Minds for a Bold Math Venture
A New Era in AI Mathematics
Carina Hong, a 24-year-old Stanford graduate, has successfully attracted some of the brightest AI researchers from major tech companies to her startup, Axiom Math. The company aims to build an AI mathematician capable of solving complex math problems that have puzzled experts for years.
A $64 Million Seed Round
In September, Axiom announced a $64 million seed round, demonstrating strong investor interest in their ambitious goals.
Attracting Top Talent
Many of Axiom's 17 employees come from Meta's Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) lab and Google Brain, which merged with DeepMind in 2023. Hong believes that the challenge of achieving mathematical superintelligence is what draws top talent to her company.
Recruiting Strategy
Hong's recruiting strategy focused on FAIR due to their reputation for excellent research. Despite recent changes at Meta, including layoffs and the departure of chief scientist Yann LeCun, Axiom has managed to attract notable researchers such as:
- Shubho Sengupta, now Axiom's CTO
- Francois Charton
- Aram Markosyan
- Hugh Leather
Competing with Big Tech
Despite competition from big tech companies offering attractive retention packages, Hong emphasizes that the long-term potential of Axiom played a significant role in attracting researchers. The startup's mission and culture, which values non-hierarchical collaboration, have also been key factors in drawing talent.
Recruiting a Renowned Mathematician
Hong has even recruited her former professor, renowned mathematician Ken Ono, showcasing her ability to attract both young and experienced experts.
Beyond Pure Mathematics
Axiom's work extends beyond pure mathematics. Hong envisions applications in areas like:
- Hardware and software verification
- Quantitative finance
- Cryptography
where provably correct reasoning is crucial. The company's early success in solving complex math problems suggests that their approach could have a significant impact on various industries.
