A group of former executives from Google and Meta have come together to establish a new start-up named "/dev/agents," aimed at creating an operating system specifically for artificial intelligence (AI) agents. This initiative is timely, as major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are increasingly focusing on developing digital assistants that can operate autonomously with minimal human intervention.
Key Takeaways
Former Android leaders, including Hugo Barra and David Singleton, are behind the new venture.
The start-up aims to create a cloud-based operating system for AI agents.
The team is focused on simplifying the development of AI agents and enhancing user privacy.
The company is currently in its early stages, with plans to expand its team.
The Vision Behind /Dev/Agents
The start-up, led by David Singleton, who previously served as Google's VP of engineering for Android, is on a mission to address the challenges developers face when creating effective AI agents. Singleton has highlighted the need for a significant technological breakthrough, akin to an "Android-like moment" for the AI industry. He believes that the current landscape makes it overly complex for developers to build powerful AI solutions.
A Cloud-Based Operating System
/dev/agents is working towards a next-generation, cloud-based operating system designed for AI agents. This platform aims to facilitate seamless interactions between trusted AI agents and users across various devices. Singleton emphasises the necessity for innovative user interface designs, a redefined privacy framework, and a developer-friendly platform to simplify the creation of useful AI agents.
An Experienced Team
The team at /dev/agents boasts a wealth of experience from leading tech companies. Key members include:
Hugo Barra: Former Android lead at Google and head of Facebook's Oculus VR team, now serving as Chief Product Officer.
Ficus Kirkpatrick: Former VP of AR and VR at Meta, now the Chief Technology Officer.
Nicholas Jitkoff: Former senior design director for VR platforms at Meta, now the Chief Design Officer.
Ambitious Goals and Market Competition
The start-up's ambitions are significant, aiming to make AI agents practical for everyday use. Singleton envisions these agents functioning similarly to how humans collaborate, potentially reducing the need for multiple applications by allowing users to accomplish various tasks through natural language prompts. For instance, a user could instruct an AI agent to organise a concert outing, and the agent would handle ticket bookings and travel arrangements with minimal user input.
However, /dev/agents will face stiff competition in the burgeoning AI agent market. Notable competitors include Anthropic's Computer Use and Google's upcoming Project Astra. Additionally, there have been challenges faced by other companies attempting to develop hardware for AI agents, such as Humane's AI Pin and the Rabbit R1, which struggled with reliability and performance issues.
Future Prospects
While it remains unclear whether /dev/agents will venture into hardware development, the team's expertise primarily lies in consumer technology. As the company continues to grow, it may integrate its AI solutions into various devices, potentially under different branding. With backing from investors like CapitalG and Index Ventures, /dev/agents is poised to make a significant impact in the AI landscape as it seeks to redefine how users interact with technology.
Sources
Ex-Android leaders are developing operating system for AI agents, NewsBytes.
Google and Meta Veterans Are Building an OS for AI Agents - Techopedia, Techopedia.
