DeepMind CEO says Google aims to solve all disease with AI tools

In short: Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis said at Google I/O that Google hopes to use AI to improve drug discovery and one day “solve all disease.”

What happened

Toward the end of Google’s I/O keynote, Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google DeepMind, said the company wants to “reimagine the drug discovery process with the goal of one day solving all disease.”

The Verge reports that Hassabis was pointing to “Gemini for Science,” which Google describes as a set of experimental AI tools meant to help researchers make new discoveries. Think of it like a powerful assistant for scientists, one that can quickly sort through lots of information and suggest useful leads (similar to how a good librarian helps you find the right books fast).

The Verge also warned that big statements like “solve all disease” can be misunderstood. Many researchers may hear it as a long-term goal and a way to speed up parts of lab work. Many regular people may hear it as a promise that a chatbot will cure every illness soon, which is not what was actually announced.

Why it matters

Health claims about AI spread fast, especially when they come from major stages like Google I/O. If the public takes them as near-term promises, people can end up with unrealistic expectations about new treatments and timelines. The more realistic takeaway is simpler: Google is trying to use AI to help scientists work faster, but turning discoveries into real medicines still takes years of testing and careful review.

Source: The Verge AI