AI
Google DeepMind Partners with South Korea to Accelerate AI-Driven Scientific Discovery
Google DeepMind is establishing an AI Campus in Seoul and collaborating with South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT to deploy advanced AI models for research in life sciences, climate, and energy.
Google DeepMind Blog
Ten years after AlphaGo's historic match in Seoul captured global attention, Google DeepMind is marking the milestone with a major partnership. The company has announced a collaboration with South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) designed to advance the nation's AI strategy and unlock breakthroughs in critical research domains.
The AI Campus and Research Hub#
Google will establish an AI Campus in Seoul—a dedicated research facility within its Seoul offices—to serve as a hub connecting Korean academia, government agencies, and Google's AI experts. The partnership will begin with collaborations involving Seoul National University (SNU), the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and MSIT's three AI Bio Innovation Hubs.
Deploying Frontier AI Models#
The partnership will give Korean researchers access to Google DeepMind's most advanced AI tools:
- AlphaFold — protein structure prediction, already used by over 85,000 Korean researchers; expansion to DNA and RNA predictions is planned.
- AlphaGenome — models designed to help scientists understand how DNA mutations affect gene functions, accelerating genome biology research.
- AlphaEvolve — a Gemini-powered coding agent for algorithm design and optimization, with emerging applications in drug discovery and energy.
- AI co-scientist — a multi-agent system to support hypothesis development and verification in biomedical research.
- WeatherNext — tools to help Korea analyze extreme weather impacts and optimize renewable energy distribution.
Talent and Safety#
Google will open internship opportunities for Korean students and build on its earlier commitment of 50,000 AI Essentials scholarships in the region. The collaboration also includes research partnerships with South Korea's AI Safety Institute (AISI) on frontier AI safety best practices.
The partnership coincides with South Korea's launch of the K-Moonshot Missions initiative and the planned May opening of a new National AI for Science Center (NAIS).
