Keras creator and AI thought leader embarks on a new journey, while staying connected to the framework that revolutionized deep learning.
- End of an Era at Google: François Chollet, creator of Keras and a pioneer in AI, leaves Google after nearly a decade to start a new company.
- Legacy of Innovation: Chollet’s contributions, including Keras and the ARC-AGI benchmark, have shaped the AI industry and impacted millions worldwide.
- Looking Ahead: While stepping away, Chollet remains involved with Keras and envisions AI as a tool for advancing human knowledge through innovative methods like neuro-symbolic AI.
François Chollet, one of the most influential figures in artificial intelligence, has announced his departure from Google after almost a decade. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Chollet revealed plans to launch a new company with a friend, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his illustrious career. Known globally as the creator of Keras, a leading framework for deep learning, Chollet leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking contributions to AI that have touched industries ranging from autonomous vehicles to streaming platforms.
The Impact of François Chollet at Google
During his tenure at Google, Chollet transformed Keras from a niche tool for AI enthusiasts into a state-of-the-art machine learning framework with over 2 million users. Today, Keras powers some of the most widely used technologies, including YouTube’s recommendation engine, Spotify’s playlists, Netflix’s algorithms, and even Waymo’s self-driving cars.
Chollet’s influence extended beyond Keras. His creation of the Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus for Artificial General Intelligence (ARC-AGI) benchmark in 2019 paved the way for novel approaches to AI reasoning. This year, he further advanced the field by launching the ARC Prize, a $1 million challenge to push the boundaries of AGI capabilities.
A Vision for Smarter AI
Chollet has often been a vocal critic of the current trend in AI research, which emphasizes scaling models with vast amounts of data and compute power. Instead, he champions neuro-symbolic AI and reasoning-based methods as the path to creating human-level intelligence. He envisions superintelligent AI as a tool to advance scientific discovery, describing it as “a kind of super-competent scientist.”
This focus on AI as a means to empower human knowledge aligns with his philosophy of ethical and impactful technological advancement. It’s this perspective that earned him recognition on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in AI in September 2023.
Transition and Future Plans
Jeff Carpenter, a seasoned machine learning engineer at Google, will take over as the new lead for the Keras team. Chollet expressed full confidence in Carpenter’s ability to continue advancing the framework, ensuring its continued role as a cornerstone of deep learning innovation.
While stepping away from his official position, Chollet reassured the community that he will remain actively involved with Keras through its GitHub repository, reflecting his commitment to its development.
Chollet offered few details about his new venture but emphasized his excitement for the future, both for his project and for Keras. The news has sparked speculation about the focus of his new company, with many in the AI community eager to see how his forward-thinking approach will shape his next endeavor.
François Chollet’s departure from Google marks the end of a transformative era for AI at the tech giant. His contributions, from revolutionizing deep learning with Keras to championing reasoning-based AI approaches, have left an indelible mark on the industry. As Chollet embarks on this new journey, the AI community will undoubtedly watch closely, inspired by his vision for smarter, more ethical AI. The next chapter in his career promises to be as groundbreaking as the last.