- Developers
- Understand how AI models are applied to complex scientific problems, potentially inspiring new research directions or applications.
- Business
- See how AI drives innovation in research and conservation, offering examples of AI's value beyond typical business metrics.
- Everyday users
- Learn about AI's role in advancing science and protecting the environment, showing its impact on the world around you.
This episode features a key leader from Google DeepMind discussing AI's role in scientific breakthroughs and conservation.
AI for science
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From Subvolts
Summary and analysis by Subvolts editorial, AI-assisted.
This Google DeepMind podcast episode features Hannah Fry interviewing Pushmeet Kohli, head of science at DeepMind. They discuss how AI accelerates scientific progress, covering areas like DNA research, nuclear energy, and mathematics. The episode also includes a virtual safari in the Serengeti, showcasing AI's role in wildlife conservation.
Imagine using smart computer programs to help scientists understand life's code, find cleaner energy, or protect animals in the wild. This episode shows how AI is becoming a powerful tool for making new discoveries and solving big problems.
This episode offers insight into how AI is actively being used to solve complex scientific challenges, from understanding life's building blocks to protecting ecosystems. It's for anyone curious about AI's practical applications beyond typical consumer tech. The work discussed aligns with Google DeepMind's ongoing commitment to using AI for societal benefit and scientific discovery, mirroring efforts across frontier labs to demonstrate AI's real-world impact.
- HostHannah Fry
- GuestPushmeet Kohlihead of science, DeepMind
- GuestDemis HassabisDeepMind
- GuestSarah Jane DunnDeepMind
- GuestMeredith PalmerPrinceton University
- Episode Title: AI for science
- Show: Google DeepMind: The Podcast
- Length: 34 minutes
- Guest: Pushmeet Kohli, head of science at DeepMind
- AI Applications: DNA research, nuclear energy, mathematics, wildlife conservation
Step inside DeepMind's laboratories and you'll find researchers studying DNA to understand the mysteries of life, seeking new ways to use nuclear energy, or putting AI to the test in mind-bending areas of maths. In this episode, Hannah meets Pushmeet Kohli, the head of science at DeepMind, to understand how AI is accelerating scientific progress. Listeners also join Hannah on a [virtual] safari in the Serengeti in East Africa to find out how researchers are using AI to conserve wildlife in one of the world’s most spectacular ecosystems.
For questions or feedback on the series, message us on Twitter @DeepMind or email podcast@deepmind.com.
Interviewees: DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis, Pushmeet Kohli & Sarah Jane Dunn; Meredith Palmer of the Princeton University
Credits
Presenter: Hannah Fry
Series Producer: Dan Hardoon
Production support: Jill Achineku
Sounds design: Emma Barnaby
Music composition: Eleni Shaw
Sound Engineer: Nigel Appleton
Editor: David Prest
Commissioned by DeepMind
Thank you to everyone who made this season possible!
Further reading:
Using AI for scientific discovery, DeepMind: https://deepmind.com/blog/article/AlphaFold-Using-AI-for-scientific-discovery
DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis on its breakthrough scientific discoveries, WIRED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WRow9FqUbw
The AI revolution in scientific research, The Royal Society: https://royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/projects/ai-and-society/AI-revolution-in-science.pdf
DOE Explains...Tokamaks, Office of Science: https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainstokamaks
How AI Accidentally Learned Ecology by Playing StarCraft, Discover: https://www.discovermagazine.com/technology/how-ai-accidentally-learned-ecology-by-playing-starcraft
Google AI can identify wildlife from trap-camera footage, VentureBeat:
https://venturebeat.com/2019/12/17/googles-ai-can-identify-wildlife-from-trap-camera-footage-with-up-to-98-6-accuracy/
Snapshot Serengeti, Zooniverse:
https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/zooniverse/snapshot-serengeti
The Human Genome Project, National Human Genome Research Institute: https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project
Exploring the beauty of pure mathematics in novel ways, DeepMind: https://deepmind.com/blog/article/exploring-the-beauty-of-pure-mathematics-in-novel-ways
Predicting gene expression with AI, DeepMind: https://deepmind.com/blog/article/enformer
Using machine learning to accelerate ecological research, DeepMind: WithPeter Battaglia WithZoubin Ghahramani WithDemis Hassabis, Steven Kotler, Salim Ismail, Dave Blundin WithThore Graepel, Pushmeet Kohli Page generated Oct 19, 2026. Summaries are Subvolts' own; the audio, artwork and notes belong to Hannah Fry.Can AI help us better predict the weather?
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