Google DeepMind CEO meets South Korean business leaders

April 28 (Asia Today) -- Google DeepMind Chief Executive Demis Hassabis met with the heads of South Korea's major conglomerates during a visit to Seoul, as the artificial intelligence company seeks broader partnerships in chips, memory supply and physical AI.

Hassabis, who returned to South Korea about a decade after DeepMind's AlphaGo match against Go master Lee Sedol, met Tuesday with Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, industry officials said.

The meetings came after Hassabis attended a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony Monday between Google DeepMind and South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT.

Industry observers said the discussions likely focused on securing stable supplies of memory chips, including high-bandwidth memory, as well as expanding cooperation into physical AI - the application of AI systems to real-world industries and physical environments.

Hassabis is expanding global cooperation as Google DeepMind pursues artificial general intelligence, a next-generation AI goal that requires the convergence of deep learning, natural language processing, robotics and other technologies.

Talks with Samsung Electronics and SK Group are believed to have centered on semiconductor infrastructure, including memory chips needed for advanced AI systems.

Discussions with Hyundai Motor Group and LG Group may have explored applying AI to mobility, home appliances, robotics and other physical industries. Hassabis also reportedly discussed possible cooperation with Samsung's device division, including DX Division head Roh Tae-moon.

At a government event Monday, Hassabis said Google DeepMind already has partnerships with "excellent companies in South Korea" and that those relationships would expand and deepen.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260428010009078

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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 1:55 PM.