An Historic Acquisition: DeepMind & Google

Introduction

In January 2014, Google made a significant move by acquiring DeepMind Technologies for a reported sum of 650 million dollars. This acquisition marked one of the largest in the history of the UK. Speculations emerged that the deal may have been influenced by behind-the-scenes competition with Facebook. Despite the apparent rivalry, DeepMind benefitted greatly from the acquisition, gaining access to valuable information, data, and technology without having to compromise its independence. DeepMind's founder, Demis Hassabis, secured a deal that allowed the company to retain control over its operations while benefiting from collaborations with Google's research groups. Post-acquisition, DeepMind took additional steps by forming an Ethics board to oversee its AI advancements.

Keywords

Google, DeepMind, acquisition, technology, data, independence, collaboration, research and development, Ethics board, AI developments

FAQ

1. What was the reported acquisition amount when Google acquired DeepMind Technologies?

   • Google paid 650 million dollars for the acquisition of DeepMind Technologies in January 2014.

2. How did DeepMind benefit from the acquisition by Google?

   • DeepMind gained access to a wide array of resources, including information, data, technology, and processing power, without having to relinquish control of the company.

3. What post-acquisition measure did DeepMind take to ensure ethical practices in its AI developments?

   • DeepMind established an Ethics board to oversee all of its AI advancements, highlighting a commitment to ethical considerations in its research and development processes.