Amazon AGI Lab Head Defends 'Reverse Acquisition' Model, Stating Only Tech Giants Can Shoulder the Burden of AGI Development
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When Amazon recruited the founding team of AI startup Adept last year, the move set an industry precedent as a classic case of the 'reverse acquisition' model. This emerging transaction structure differs from traditional acquisitions, where large companies only hire core team members from startups and obtain technology licenses, rather than fully acquiring the entire company.
Adept co-founder and former CEO David Luan subsequently took charge of Amazon's new AGI lab. In a recent interview with The Verge, while the discussion primarily revolved around Amazon's AI agent vision, reporter Alex Heath also asked for his views on the reverse acquisition trend.
Facing skepticism, Luan candidly responded that he hopes to be 'remembered more as an AI research innovator, rather than a transaction structure innovator.' However, he also defended the model, arguing that companies like Amazon 'rapidly aggregating critical resources at both the talent and computing power levels' is a 'completely rational' choice.
As for why he was willing to leave his startup for Amazon, Luan provided a thought-provoking answer. He admitted that he did not want to turn Adept into 'an enterprise company selling small models,' as his goal was far more ambitious—to solve 'the four key research challenges on the path to AGI.'
Luan further explained the core reason for choosing Amazon: 'Each of these four challenges requires computing clusters worth tens of billions of dollars to support the research. Where else could I get such an opportunity?'
This statement reveals the harsh reality of the current AI R&D field: breakthroughs in artificial general intelligence require not only top-tier talent but also astronomical funding and computing power. For researchers with AGI aspirations, leveraging the platforms of tech giants to achieve greater ambitions may be more viable than struggling in resource-constrained startup environments.
Luan's remarks also indirectly validate the deeper logic behind the rise of the reverse acquisition model: in an increasingly intense AI arms race, collaborative approaches that balance innovation and abundant resources are becoming the industry's new favorite. This model allows startup founders to continue pursuing their technological ideals without bearing the immense pressure of independent operations—a win-win scenario.
As more such transactions emerge, reverse acquisitions may redefine the talent mobility landscape in the tech industry, serving as a crucial bridge connecting innovation and resources.