Generative AI startup Midjourney Inc. has appointed Apple Vision Pro’s former hardware engineer manager, Ahmad Abbas, to spearhead its hardware endeavors.
Abbas’s Appointment: In December, Abbas assumed the role of Head of Hardware at Midjourney. Notably, he led Apple Inc.’s AAPL Vision Pro development for five years.
Before Midjourney, Abbas briefly worked at Elon Musk’s Neuralink.
Abbas had liaison with Midjourney founder David Holz prior to his roles at Neuralink and Apple, as well as at Leap Motion, a company founded by Holz in 2008.
Industry Speculation: Speculation surrounds Midjourney’s upcoming “Orb” endeavor. It is conjectured to be a device capable of generating and managing thousands of 3D rooms, hinting at its potential use for AI-generated 3D worlds and potentially real-time video games.
In 2022, Holz envisioned a game console with an AI processor capable of real-time game generation within a decade. With Abbas on board, this timeline may be expedited.
Significance: Abbas’s recruitment, given his pivotal role in the development of Apple Vision Pro, is a significant strategic move for Midjourney.
The Vision Pro is renowned for its real-time object and surface scanning capabilities.
With Abbas’s expertise and aligned vision with Holz, the “Orb” initiative could significantly impact the generative AI industry.
Photo: Generated using Dall-E 3
