The facility will aim to discover new materials for use in batteries and semiconductors as part of a commitment to applying AI to additional scientific fields.
Google DeepMind, which is an artificial intelligence (AI) research platform that spearheads Google’s AI endeavours, has announced that it will be opening its inaugural research lab for the purpose of material discovery, which will be located in the UK.
Set to open in 2026, the project is in partnership with the British government and will aim to innovate AI-powered scientific breakthroughs in order to create smarter public services.
The laboratory will be DeepMind’s first automated facility and will use robotics and AI to carry out a range of scientific experiments and tasks, focusing particularly on developing new cutting-edge superconductor materials that can carry electricity with zero resistance.
Through the partnership, scientists will have access to Google DeepMind’s advanced technologies, for example Google’s AI models and AlphaGenome, to support research, generate new theories, conduct tests and potentially discover new materials for use in batteries, semiconductors, medical imagery, solar technology and more.
The partnership will also extend to sharing proprietary models and data with the UK AI Security Institute, which was developed in 2023 as a means of rigorously testing and evaluating AI systems. Currently no details around staffing or finances have been disclosed.
Commenting on the announcement, British prime minister Keir Starmer said, “This partnership will make sure we harness developments in AI for public good so that everyone feels the benefits.
“That means using AI to tackle everyday challenges like cutting energy bills thanks to cheaper, greener energy and making our public services more efficient so that taxpayers’ money is spent on what matters most to people. This is national renewal in action – driving innovation to make our country stronger and fairer for everyone.”
Demis Hassabis, Google DeepMind’s co-founder and CEO added, “AI has incredible potential to drive a new era of scientific discovery and improve everyday life.
“We’re excited to deepen our collaboration with the UK government and build on the country’s rich heritage of innovation to advance science, strengthen security, and deliver tangible improvements for citizens.”
In September of this year, Google DeepMind announced it would be adding agentic AI models to its robots, in a “foundational step toward building robots that can navigate the complexities of the physical world with intelligence and dexterity”.
Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
