Prometheus, co-founded by Jeff Bezos and Vik Bajaj, has secured an impressive $12 billion in funding, valuing the company at $41 billion. This hefty investment comes from major financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and BlackRock.

The startup is dedicated to developing an 'artificial general engineer,' a sophisticated software that can automate complex physical systems like jet engines or drug compounds. Bezos believes this will lead to increased productivity, reducing the need for human labour in the long term. However, he argues that it could also mean more people working less due to higher economic standards.

Currently employing 150 staff across San Francisco, London and Zurich, Prometheus is tight-lipped about its progress, focusing on its extensive computing needs. The large valuation of $41 billion makes this one of the most highly valued AI startups, with Bezos seemingly embracing the future of automation despite Amazon's recent mass layoffs under CEO Andy Jassy.

While some see this as a significant step towards an automated world, others fear it will exacerbate job losses. Meanwhile, physical AI is becoming increasingly popular among investors, seen as more defensible due to its real-world applications that software alone cannot replicate.