In a step towards a more diverse, inclusive and progressive AI research landscape, The Hg Foundation is partnering with The Royal Academy of Engineering and Google DeepMind to deliver the Google Deepmind Research Ready programme. Providing up to 120 paid research placements each summer, the programme will help address the barriers encountered by undergraduates from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds in progressing into research and careers in AI.

Artificial intelligence is a rapidly growing area of research with a key role to play in shaping a sustainable society and inclusive economy. To ensure AI-enabled systems truly act in the service of society they must be robust, accessible and fair for all users. The new scheme will help to address this, building a stronger and more diverse AI research community to bring unique perspectives and solutions to this crucial field.

The collaboration brings together Google DeepMind, a leader in AI and winner of the MacRobert Award for UK engineering innovation; The Hg Foundation, with its expertise in supporting under-represented groups to access high-quality jobs in technology; and the Royal Academy of Engineering, with its experience of leading progress in enhancing diversity in the workforce and promoting inclusive cultures.

The $1 million programme is being funded by Google DeepMind and The Hg Foundation as founding sponsors and delivered by the Academy. The paid research placements will last for six to eight weeks in the summer of 2025 and will cover costs such as accommodation, travel and living expenses.

The Academy has started a process to select leading AI departments at ten UK universities to host the placements and help improve their knowledge of the different areas of AI, build their research expertise, understand the routes into different AI careers, and build confidence in taking the next steps in their education or career journey in AI – knowledge and experience that socioeconomically disadvantaged students can find hard to access. Host universities will benefit from research support and insights from the next generation of engineering talent, as well as the opportunity to develop inclusive leadership skills and support the development of a stronger, more diverse AI research community.

Dr Christina Guindy, Associate Director of Research Programmes & Awards at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “We are delighted to have a national academy, a private company and charitable foundation, backed by a tech investor, partnering in this unique way. The Academy is committed to boosting the number and diversity of those entering engineering careers and to promoting and expanding the use of innovative approaches and best practice in engineering education and training. We have already seen encouraging results from our own programme of internships for undergraduates from diverse backgrounds working with engineering researchers we fund. Now, working with Google DeepMind and The Hg Foundation, I believe we can make a meaningful contribution not only to enabling a more diverse AI research community but also to shaping the UK’s role in responsible development of emerging technologies like AI to ensure that they are designed rigorously and sustainably, and adopted where they have the maximum benefit.”

Obum Ekeke OBE, Head of Education Partnerships at Google DeepMind, said: “We are thrilled to support this important programme, which will empower the next generation of AI innovators by providing them with invaluable hands-on research experiences. These placement opportunities will not only deepen their understanding of AI's potential but also inspire them to progress to further studies and careers in AI so that they too can develop groundbreaking solutions that address real-world challenges."

James Turner, CEO of The Hg Foundation, said: “Our mission is to help the technology sector harness the abilities of those from all walks of life – and this is particularly important in the field of AI, which is growing at a rapid rate and is shaping all of our lives in a profound way. We are delighted to be partnering with Google DeepMind and the Royal Academy of Engineering to bring to bear their considerable expertise on this new project, which we hope will grow further in the years ahead to benefit many more budding AI researchers.”