DeepMind to Establish AI Lab for Material Discovery

DeepMind to launch its first lab for discovering new materials in 2026.

Google DeepMind is set to launch its first research laboratory dedicated to discovering new substances and compounds used in batteries and semiconductors.

Also coming to the UK in 2026: our first automated materials discovery lab, fully integrated with Gemini. 💎

Overseen by a team of researchers, it will synthesize hundreds of new candidate materials daily – which could help to develop future solar cells, chips and next-gen…

— Google DeepMind (@GoogleDeepMind) December 11, 2025

The facility will be launched in the UK in 2026 as part of Google’s partnership with the country’s authorities. The company aims to apply artificial intelligence across more scientific fields.

The agreement involves adapting several AI models for scientists, educators, and civil servants.

DeepMind described the lab as the first “automated” facility using robotics to conduct scientific experiments, minimizing human involvement.

Google’s AI division in the new lab will explore materials that could enhance medical imaging, solar panels, and microchips.

The company will provide British scientists with “priority access” to four scientific models, including those for DNA analysis and weather forecasting.

“The discovery of new materials is one of the most important tasks in science,” wrote DeepMind’s head, Demis Hassabis.

The UK government emphasized that the company will support research in nuclear fusion and develop tools for scientists based on Gemini.

Additionally, DeepMind will share its proprietary models and data with the British Institute for AI Safety—a government agency established in 2023 for testing and evaluating AI systems.

Back in April, Google DeepMind created a model for decoding dolphin speech.