Jeff Bezos is seeking to raise $100 billion for a new investment initiative focused on acquiring and transforming manufacturing companies through artificial intelligence integration, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The Amazon founder's latest venture represents a significant departure from his previous business focus, targeting traditional industrial firms for modernization with AI technology. The scale of the proposed fund would rank among the largest private investment initiatives in recent years.

Details about the specific types of manufacturing companies Bezos plans to target or the timeline for acquisitions remain unclear. The initiative appears to reflect growing interest among technology leaders in applying AI capabilities to traditional industries.

Bezos has been expanding his business interests beyond Amazon since stepping down as the company's CEO in 2021. His other ventures include space exploration company Blue Origin and various philanthropic initiatives through the Bezos Earth Fund.

The manufacturing sector has increasingly become a focus for AI implementation, with companies seeking to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and modernize operations through automation and machine learning technologies. Major technology investors have shown growing interest in industrial applications of artificial intelligence.