The UK government has announced a major new partnership with Google DeepMind that aims to put advanced artificial intelligence to work across national priorities, from scientific discovery and clean energy to public service reform and education
The partnership with Google DeepMind is being presented as a main driver of the government’s plan for national renewal.
New automated research lab to boost scientific breakthroughs
A big part of the partnership is Google DeepMind’s decision to open its first automated research lab in the UK next year. Automated labs combine AI systems with robotics, enabling faster, more reliable scientific experimentation and accelerating breakthroughs that would otherwise take years.
The UK-based lab will be built around Gemini, the company’s latest AI model, and will initially focus on advanced superconducting materials that carry electricity with zero resistance.
If this is successful, it could lead to cheaper, more accessible medical imaging, more efficient next-generation computer chips, and innovations that support progress toward net-zero emissions.
Clean energy and advanced research capabilities
In addition to materials research, the partnership is expected to expand collaborative work in clean energy, including AI-enabled research into fusion power. By applying robust AI systems to some of the most complex scientific challenges, the government aims to unlock cheaper, greener energy options that can reduce energy bills and strengthen national energy security.
UK scientists will also be given priority access to DeepMind’s advanced research tools. This includes systems such as AlphaGenome, which accelerates DNA analysis, and the AI co-scientist platform, which supports researchers in generating new hypotheses and designing experiments.
Tools like AlphaFold will also be included, improving the UK’s capacity to produce breakthroughs across medicine, biology, and materials science.
Transforming public services through more innovative use of AI
The partnership with Google DeepMind outlines plans to modernise public services and reduce bureaucracy. A tailored version of the Gemini model, known as Gemini for Government, is under consideration to help automate routine administrative work, freeing civil servants to focus on frontline service improvements.
In education, DeepMind will explore creating a version of Gemini specifically designed to support teachers. Grounded in the national curriculum and tested for safety, this tool could help streamline lesson planning, classroom assistance, and administrative tasks, allowing teachers to concentrate more on direct student support.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall 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.
“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.”
Improving responsible AI and international collaboration
The agreement also deepens the company’s work with the UK’s AI Security Institute, reinforcing national efforts to ensure that AI is developed and deployed safely. This includes foundational research to mitigate emerging risks while expanding the beneficial uses of AI across society.
The announcement follows a series of significant investments by Google in the UK’s technology sector, including efforts to modernise government IT and a multi-billion-pound commitment to AI infrastructure and research.
It also comes as the Technology Secretary begins a visit to the United States to strengthen UK-US cooperation on AI further and explore how the technology is being integrated into classrooms and public services abroad.
