Chinese AI startup Manifold AI has raised several hundred million yuan in new funding, bringing its total raised to nearly 1 billion yuan ($148 million) since its founding just over a year ago. The investment underscores growing investor interest in 'world models,' a field focused on enhancing AI's understanding of the physical world.
The funding highlights significant investor appetite for AI advancements beyond traditional large language models, specifically in areas like 'world models' that promise more grounded and interactive AI capabilities.
Chinese startup Manifold AI has secured several hundred million yuan in new funding, signaling strong investor confidence in the emerging field of 'world models' within artificial intelligence. The Beijing-based company, founded just over a year ago, announced that its latest investment round included participation from state-backed CRHC Fund, Temasek-backed InnoVen Capital, BAIC Capital, and KHK Fund. Existing shareholders also reportedly increased their investments.
With this latest infusion of capital, Manifold AI has raised close to 1 billion yuan ($148 million) in total across six funding rounds since its inception. The company's focus on 'world models' aims to develop AI systems capable of better understanding and interacting with the complexities of the physical world.