TLDR: Multiverse Computing, a European AI startup, has introduced two new quantum-inspired AI models, ‘SuperFly’ and ‘ChickBrain,’ significantly reducing their size to operate efficiently on-device without compromising performance. These models, inspired by the neural capacity of a fly’s and a chicken’s brain, mark a major step towards compact and efficient AI for various applications, from smart appliances to laptops.
Multiverse Computing, a leading European artificial intelligence startup, has unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in AI model compression, introducing two new quantum-inspired models, ‘SuperFly’ and ‘ChickBrain.’ These models are remarkably small, designed to run entirely on-device, from smartphones and laptops to Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets like smart appliances and wearables, without sacrificing performance. The announcement was made on August 14, 2025, by the Donostia, Spain-based company, known for its innovative quantum-inspired AI compression technology.
Román Orús, founder of Multiverse Computing, highlighted the significance of this breakthrough in an interview with TechCrunch, stating, ‘We can compress the model so much that they can fit on devices. You can run them on premises, directly on your iPhone, or on your Apple Watch.’ This capability addresses a critical need for efficient, localized AI processing, reducing reliance on cloud-based solutions and enhancing privacy and speed.
The core of this innovation is Multiverse Computing’s proprietary technology, ‘CompactifAI,’ a quantum-inspired compression algorithm. Unlike conventional AI compression methods, CompactifAI leverages principles from quantum physics, allowing for a more ‘subtle and refined’ optimization process that drastically reduces model size while maintaining, and in some cases even improving, performance.
Multiverse Computing, founded in 2019 by Orús, quantum computing expert Samuel Mugel, and former Unnim Banc deputy CEO Enrique Lizaso Olmos, recently secured €189 million ($215 million) in June, bringing their total funding to approximately $250 million. This funding round was led by Bullhound Capital, with notable participation from HP Tech Ventures and Toshiba, underscoring the industry’s confidence in their technology.
The company’s new ‘Model Zoo’ features two standout models:
SuperFly: This model is a compressed version of Hugging Face’s SmolLM2-135, with its parameters reduced from 135 million to 94 million. This size is roughly equivalent to the neural capacity of a fly’s brain. While not designed for complex deep reasoning, SuperFly is perfectly suited for ultra-lightweight, voice-enabled applications. Multiverse envisions its deployment in devices like washing machines or microwaves, enabling commands such as ‘start quick wash’ or real-time troubleshooting without requiring internet connectivity.
ChickBrain: A more powerful model, ChickBrain is a 3.2 billion parameter compressed version of Meta’s Llama 3.1 8B model. Despite being less than half the size of its original counterpart, ChickBrain has demonstrated a slight performance edge on various benchmarks, including MMLU-Pro (language skills), Math 500 and GSM8K (mathematical reasoning), and GPQA Diamond (general knowledge). This model is designed for higher-level reasoning tasks and can operate entirely offline on devices like a MacBook.
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These developments represent a significant leap forward in making powerful AI more accessible and sustainable, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with on-device AI processing.
