LONDON: Google DeepMind plans to open an advanced artificial intelligence research facility in the United Kingdom in 2026, in a major expansion of its scientific work and partnership with the British government focused on materials discovery and national innovation.
The London-based subsidiary of Alphabet said the new automated science laboratory will use robotics and AI to accelerate the search for breakthrough materials, including superconductors, semiconductors and next-generation solar cells — processes that traditionally take years of manual work. The facility is designed to integrate DeepMind’s Gemini AI platform to run experiments and analyse results at scale, offering UK scientists priority access to its tools.
The announcement comes alongside a broader memorandum of understanding with UK officials aimed at harnessing AI for public benefit across science, public services, education and energy. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a government statement that the collaboration “will make sure we harness developments in AI for public good so that everyone feels the benefits.”
DeepMind co-founder and CEO Demis Hassabis described the expanded partnership as an opportunity to deepen work on scientific discovery and national resilience. “AI has incredible potential to drive a new era of scientific discovery and improve everyday life."
The plan also includes an expanded research relationship with the UK’s AI Security Institute to study the risks and safety of advanced AI systems. DeepMind and the institute will collaborate on foundational safety research, including methods to monitor how AI models reason and their social and economic impacts.
The UK government said the initiative will strengthen the country’s position as a global hub for AI research and innovation while contributing to cleaner energy technologies and smarter public services.