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Key Points
- Will.i.am is investing in large concept models, aiming to push AI beyond language processing into true innovation.
- The tech-savvy artist has backed Tesla, OpenAI, and Jetson Inc., while regretting missing an early Airbnb investment.
- Partnering with billionaire Robert F. Smith, will.i.am launched an AI education initiative to bridge the tech skills gap.
Renowned rapper, futurist, and tech entrepreneur William James Adams Jr., better known as will.i.am, is continuing to push the boundaries of innovation with his latest investment in large concept models, an emerging frontier in artificial intelligence.
A firm believer in AI’s potential to transform the world, will.i.am sees large concept models as the next major breakthrough. Unlike today’s AI systems that primarily process and generate language, he envisions models that can create entirely new ideas and push beyond existing frameworks.
“We’re currently dealing with large language models, but they’re not conceptual. They’re simply regurgitating our imagination,” will.i.am explained. “The next step is large concept models that can create and innovate beyond existing frameworks.”
As an early investor in OpenAI and the founder of FYI, an AI-driven platform for creative professionals, will.i.am has been at the forefront of the AI revolution. His latest initiative centers on identifying and supporting young tech talent who can build these next-generation models.
“There are brilliant minds out there right now—students at MIT, Stanford, and other leading institutions. These are the people who will shape the future of AI,” he said. “I’m hunting for the next wave of innovators who are building the future of technology, particularly in large concept models.”
A history of savvy tech investments
Will.i.am’s track record as a tech investor speaks for itself. His portfolio includes early investments in some of the biggest names in the tech world, such as Tesla, Pinterest, Dropbox, OpenAI, and Anthropic.
“I invested in Tesla in 2006, long before Elon Musk took over. It’s been incredible to watch how far Tesla has come,” he shared. “I was also an early investor in Twitter, and made a solid return when Jack Dorsey left the company. But there’s one investment I regret missing: Airbnb.”
Will.i.am, a seasoned investor, recalls turning down an opportunity to invest $200,000 in Airbnb during its early fundraising rounds, a decision he now views as a valuable learning experience.
“When you travel and experience luxury, you become accustomed to the best hotels and service,” he said. “At the time, I couldn’t see the appeal of Airbnb because I was so accustomed to traditional luxury accommodations. It was a tough lesson, but it helped me refine my ability to spot the next big opportunity.”
Aerial innovation and AI education
In 2023, will.i.am solidified his role as a visionary investor by joining a venture capital consortium to invest $15 million in Jetson Inc., creators of the Jetson ONE, the first commercially available eVTOL aircraft. This move underscores his commitment to transportation innovation.
In June 2024, he partnered with America’s richest Black billionaire, Robert F. Smith, to launch an AI education initiative, merging InternXL with FYI to bridge the tech skills gap. As will.i.am continues to make bold bets on emerging technologies, his focus on large concept models and AI education positions him as a key player in shaping the future of tech and innovation.
