Jeff Bezos will head a new engineering-focused AI startup called Project Prometheus

Jeff Bezos is spearheading a new AI started called Project Prometheus, focused on his current interests in space and engineering, The New York Times reports. The company, which has yet to be made public, will reportedly have $6.2 billion in funding. Part of that sum will come from Bezos, who will act as co-CEO.

Project Prometheus will reportedly focus on creating AI systems that gain knowledge from the physical world, rather than just processing digital information, like AI chatbots. In particular, the company will reportedly explore how AI can support engineering and manufacturing in areas such as vehicles and space technology. Bezos founded space technology company Blue Origin more than two decades ago. The company's New Glenn rocket had a successful second flight last week.

He is joined by Vik Bajaj as co-founder and co-CEO. Bajaj is a physicist and chemist who worked ...