FT says Google DeepMind is trying to catch up in the AI race

In short: The Financial Times reports that Google and its AI lab DeepMind are pushing to close the gap with OpenAI and Anthropic.

What's going on

Google has been seen as playing catch-up during the recent surge of interest in AI, especially compared with OpenAI and Anthropic. That is the focus of a new Financial Times Tech Tonic podcast episode about whether DeepMind can “make a comeback.”

The discussion highlights three advantages Google has. First is money, since Google can afford expensive AI work. Second is its own AI chips, which are specialized computer parts built to run AI systems faster (like having a custom engine instead of a standard one). Third is access to top AI researchers and engineers, including at DeepMind.

The episode also points listeners to related FT reporting on DeepMind’s approach. One article notes that DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis has warned that AI investment can look “bubble-like,” meaning prices and spending may be rising too fast. Another article says DeepMind has slowed down research releases to protect its competitive edge, which is similar to keeping new product plans quiet until you are ready to ship.

What to watch

A key thing to watch is whether Google turns these resources into AI products that people actually use day to day, and whether it shares enough research to prove progress without helping competitors. The pace of releases matters, because in AI, being first often helps win users and developers.

Source: Financial Times