[ignoramous]

YC.org literally backed OpenAI in 2015, Cruise a year before that, and ScaleAI a year after that.

Per YC's publicly available records, the earliest they funded a ML/AI business was in 2008. They aren't late, but this AI specific Early Decision may be in reaction to funds like AIGrant.org, SouthParkCommons, Neo et al.

https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/?tags=AI&tags=Machine%...

[jacquesm]

Exactly, the chances of getting funding for AI companies are up considerably and if YC doesn't fund them someone else will. To get a seat at the table they need to move faster compared to their normal schedule.