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UK and Google DeepMind Sign AI Pact, Pledging 2026 Automated Lab and Priority Tools for Scientists

The voluntary pact prioritizes UK access to frontier AI, deepening safety research with the national AI Security Institute.

Overview

  • DeepMind will open its first automated, Gemini‑integrated materials science lab in the UK in 2026, focusing on superconductors and other energy‑relevant materials.
  • UK researchers will receive priority access to DeepMind’s AI‑for‑Science models, including AlphaEvolve, AlphaGenome, WeatherNext and an AI co‑scientist.
  • An expanded Memorandum of Understanding with the UK AI Security Institute shifts from testing to foundational safety research and includes sharing proprietary models and data.
  • Public‑sector pilots include a potential Gemini for Government, Northern Ireland classroom trials that cut teacher admin time, and Extract converting planning documents to digital data in about 40 seconds.
  • The agreement carries no financial commitments and also supports clean‑energy research such as fusion alongside AI‑enabled cyber resilience using tools like Big Sleep and CodeMender.