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Amazon, eyeing up AI, adds Andrew Ng to its board; ex-MTV exec McGrath to step down | TechCrunch

Apr 11, 2024 - techcrunch.com
Amazon has announced that Andrew Ng, a prominent figure in the AI industry, is joining its board of directors. This move comes as Judy McGrath, known for her work as a TV executive and her role in building Viacom into a media powerhouse, steps down as a director. The changes suggest a shift in Amazon's focus, despite its significant investment in its video and music business. The company is expected to continue its dominance in streaming entertainment, but the addition of Ng to the board indicates a renewed emphasis on its artificial intelligence strategy.

Ng's appointment is seen as a boost to Amazon's AI profile, given his extensive experience in academia, investing, and hands-on building. He currently holds roles at Stanford, the AI Fund, DeepLearning.AI, and Landing AI, and is the chair of Coursera. He has also previously served as the chief scientist and a VP at Baidu, and founded and led Google Brain. Despite the perception that Amazon is "falling behind" in AI technology, the company remains a leading player in the field, with significant investments in AI startups and a history of pioneering AI applications.

Key takeaways:

  • Amazon has announced that AI expert Andrew Ng is joining its board of directors, signaling a potential shift in the company's focus towards artificial intelligence.
  • Judy McGrath, known for her work in the TV industry, will be stepping down as a director, which could indicate a potential decrease in Amazon's investment in its entertainment sector.
  • Despite some perceptions that Amazon is 'falling behind' in AI technology, the company has a long history as a leading player in AI, with significant investments in AI startups and advancements in voice recognition and connected assistants.
  • Andrew Ng's appointment could help advance Amazon's AI profile, with his experience across academia, investing, and hands-on building of AI technology.
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