Google acquires London-based artificial intelligence firm DeepMind

Google has brought London-based artificial intelligence start-up DeepMind for a reported $400m (£240m) as it continues its high profile acquisition spree.

DeepMind: artificial intelligence start-up is acquired by Google
DeepMind: artificial intelligence start-up is acquired by Google

DeepMind combines techniques from machine learning and systems neuroscience to build algorithms for ecommerce, simulations and games applications.

The startup is currently in "stealth" mode and was founded by Demis Hassabis, Shane Legg and Mustafa Suleyman.

Google confirmed the acquisition but would not comment on the $400m .

The DeepMind deal comes after Google’s acquisition of eight robotic companies in the past year, with the , a company that makes machines that run faster than humans.

DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis has been described as a computer game designer, AI programmer, neuroscientist and a chess "child prodigy".

Prior to founding DeepMind, he set up computer games company Elixir Studios in 1998. He was CEO of the company until July 2005, running a 60-strong team and produced games for Microsoft and Vivendi Univerasl.

The studio developed games including Syndicate, Theme Park, Black and White, Republic and Evil Genius.

Hassabis was later a research fellow at UCL’s Gatsby computational neuroscience unit and worked on research papers including 'Is The Brain a Good Model For Machine Intelligence?'.

Market Reports

Get unprecedented new-business intelligence with access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s new Advertising Intelligence Market Reports.

Find out more

Enjoying ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s content?

 Get unlimited access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s premium content for your whole company with a corporate licence.

Upgrade access

Looking for a new job?

Get the latest creative jobs in advertising, media, marketing and digital delivered directly to your inbox each day.

Create an alert now

Partner content