Hardworking people will benefit from modern public services and British scientists will gain priority access to world-leading AI tools, under a new partnership between the UK Government and Google DeepMind.
As part of the agreement, Google DeepMind will open its first automated research lab in the UK next year, strengthening Britain’s position as a global leader in science and technology. The lab will use AI and robotics to accelerate discoveries, focusing initially on developing cutting-edge superconductors – materials that carry electricity with zero resistance.
New superconductors could revolutionise medical imaging, enable next-generation computer chips, and support low-cost, energy-efficient technologies that transform transport and accelerate progress towards net zero.
The partnership also includes:
- Clean energy innovation – AI-enabled research into fusion energy, paving the way for cheaper, greener power.
- Smarter public services – Exploring Gemini for Government to cut bureaucracy and free up civil servants for frontline work.
- AI in education – Developing safe, curriculum-based AI tools to support teachers and improve learning outcomes.
- Responsible AI development – DeepMind will work with the UK’s AI Security Institute to ensure AI is developed safely and benefits everyone.
Liz Kendall, Technology Secretary, said:
“DeepMind serves as the perfect example of what UK-US tech collaboration can deliver - a firm with roots on both sides of the Atlantic backing British innovators to shape the curve of technological progress.
“This agreement could help to unlock cleaner energy, smarter public services, and new opportunities which will benefit communities up and down the country.
“Science and technology are at the heart of our mission to drive a new era of national renewal – and partnerships like this will help us go further, faster.”
UK scientists will gain priority access to DeepMind’s advanced AI models, including AlphaGenome for DNA sequencing and AlphaFold, which predicts protein structures and has already advanced research in crop resilience and antimicrobial resistance.
This partnership builds on the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and strengthens the £137 million AI for Science Strategy, with the first mission to accelerate drug and treatment development.
The announcement comes as the Technology Secretary begins a two-day visit to the US, highlighting the UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal, which secured £24.25 billion in private investment for UK tech in November alone – equivalent to £816 million a day.
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