Subvolts take Explore DeepMind's quest for general AI and tour their research labs with top scientists. Sep 10, 2019 - Developers
- Learn about the long-term research goals for creating adaptable AI systems and the principles guiding their development.
- Business
- Understand the foundational research driving AI advancements and the vision for future intelligent systems.
This episode features key DeepMind researchers discussing foundational AI research goals and their progress.
Towards the future
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From Subvolts
Summary and analysis by Subvolts editorial, AI-assisted.
This Google DeepMind podcast episode features Koray Kavukcuoglu discussing the journey toward creating general-purpose AI learning systems. He tours DeepMind's headquarters, highlighting the research efforts. The episode also includes insights from other DeepMind researchers and CEO Demis Hassabis, exploring the frontiers of AI development.
Imagine teaching a computer to learn anything, like a human, instead of just one specific task. This episode shows how scientists at DeepMind are trying to build that kind of super-smart, adaptable computer brain. It's about the future of AI and what that means for everyone.
This episode offers a look into Google DeepMind's foundational research in general AI. It's for anyone interested in the long-term goals of AI development and the practicalities of research environments. The discussion on creating versatile learning systems connects to current efforts across frontier labs aiming for more capable and adaptable AI, moving beyond narrow task-specific models.
- HostHannah Fry
- GuestKoray KavukcuogluDirector of Research, DeepMind
- GuestTrevor BackProduct Manager for DeepMind’s science research, DeepMind
- GuestRaia Hadsellresearch scientist, DeepMind
- GuestMurray Shanahanresearch scientist, DeepMind
- GuestDemis HassabisCEO and co-founder, DeepMind
- Episode Title: Towards the future
- Show: Google DeepMind: The Podcast
- Length: 26 minutes
- Guest: Koray Kavukcuoglu, Director of Research
- Topic: General purpose learning systems
AI researchers around the world are trying to create a general purpose learning system that can learn to solve a broad range of problems without being taught how. Koray Kavukcuoglu, DeepMind’s Director of Research, describes the journey to get there, and takes Hannah on a whistle-stop tour of DeepMind’s HQ and its research.
If you have a question or feedback on the series, message us on Twitter (@DeepMind using the hashtag #DMpodcast) or email us at podcast@deepmind.com.
Further reading:
OpenAI: An overview of neural networks and the progress that has been made in AI
Shane Legg, DeepMind co-founder: Measuring machine intelligence at the 2010 Singularity Summit
Shane Legg and Marcus Hutter: Paper on defining machine intelligence
Demis Hassabis: Talk on the history, frontiers and capabilities of AI
Robert Wiblin: Positively shaping the development of artificial intelligence
Asilomar AI Principles
Richard S. Sutton and Andrew G. Barto: Reinforcement Learning: An Introduction
Interviewees: Koray Kavukcuoglu, Director of Research; Trevor Back, Product Manager for DeepMind’s science research; research scientists Raia Hadsell and Murray Shanahan; and DeepMind CEO and co-founder, Demis Hassabis.
Credits:
Presenter: Hannah Fry
Editor: David Prest
Senior Producer: Louisa Field
Producers: Amy Racs, Dan Hardoon
Binaural Sound: Lucinda Mason-Brown
Music composition: Eleni Shaw (with help from Sander Dieleman and WaveNet)
Commissioned by DeepMind
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- General purpose learning system
- Koray Kavukcuoglu
- A computer program that can learn to do many different things without being specifically taught each one.
- Neural networks
- OpenAI (in further reading)
- Computer systems inspired by the human brain that learn from data.
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27 minQuestions people ask
- What is the main goal of the AI research discussed?
- The episode focuses on the journey towards creating a general-purpose learning system that can solve a broad range of problems without explicit instruction for each.
- Who is interviewed in this episode?
- The episode features Koray Kavukcuoglu, Trevor Back, Raia Hadsell, Murray Shanahan, and Demis Hassabis from DeepMind.
Page generated Oct 19, 2026. Summaries are Subvolts' own; the audio, artwork and notes belong to Hannah Fry.