In a striking move that has captured global attention, Jeff Bezos has stepped back into the tech spotlight as co-CEO of a new AI startup, Project Prometheus.
While Bezos often dominates the headlines, the other co-leader quietly shaping the company’s vision is Vikram “Vik” Bajaj, a physicist and chemist whose deep expertise in science and technology positions him uniquely for this ambitious venture.
A Strong Scientific Foundation
Vik Bajaj earned his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from MIT and holds a degree in biochemistry from the University of Pennsylvania.
Over the years, he has combined rigorous scientific training with entrepreneurial experience, building a career at the intersection of science, technology, and business.
His academic and research roles include positions as an associate professor (consulting) and affiliate scientist at leading institutions, reflecting a career rooted in cutting-edge research.
From Google X to Life Sciences Innovation
Before joining Bezos, Bajaj worked at Google’s “moonshot” division, Google X, where he tackled ambitious, high-risk projects aimed at transforming industries.
He later co-founded Verily, Alphabet’s life-sciences subsidiary, serving as its Chief Scientific Officer and contributing to groundbreaking initiatives in healthcare and data-driven science.
Following his work at Verily, Bajaj joined Foresite Capital as Managing Director and launched Foresite Labs, an incubator focused on data science and healthcare innovation.
His leadership in these ventures has consistently demonstrated an ability to translate complex scientific concepts into scalable, real-world solutions.
Bajaj also held a leadership role at Grail, a biotech company focused on early cancer detection, further cementing his reputation as a pioneer in science-driven innovation.
Project Prometheus: A New Frontier in AI
In November 2025, Bajaj and Bezos announced their co-leadership of Project Prometheus, a startup aimed at advancing AI for the physical economy.
Unlike many recent AI ventures that focus solely on software or language models, Prometheus seeks to develop AI systems capable of learning from real-world experimentation, including robotics and scientific research applications.
The startup launched with significant funding and has quickly attracted top talent from major AI and tech companies.
Its goal is to create AI-driven solutions that bridge the gap between advanced computational models and real-world engineering and manufacturing — an area where Bajaj’s scientific background and Bezos’s industrial vision converge.
Why Vik Bajaj Is a Key Figure
What sets Bajaj apart is his rare combination of deep scientific expertise and entrepreneurial execution.
He has demonstrated an ability to operate at the frontiers of both biology and data science while also translating research into impactful business initiatives.
This makes him an ideal partner for Bezos in pursuing AI applications that extend beyond digital products into tangible, real-world impact.
As Project Prometheus develops, Bajaj’s leadership will likely be pivotal in shaping the company’s direction, potentially establishing it as a transformative force in AI-driven engineering and manufacturing.
His involvement signals that this venture is not merely another software-focused AI startup, but a serious attempt to merge advanced AI with the physical world in innovative and meaningful ways.
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