Demis Hassabis

Co-founder & CEO, Google DeepMind

Demis Hassabis combines a background in game design, computer science and cognitive neuroscience.

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Photo: John SearsCC BY-SA 4.0 · Displayed in grayscale

At a glance

Demis Hassabis combines a background in game design, computer science and cognitive neuroscience. He co-founded DeepMind in 2010 and later led Google DeepMind. His work on AI for science includes AlphaFold, recognised by the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Current role: Co-founder & CEO, Google DeepMind
Born: 27 July 1976
Education: University of Cambridge — computer science; UCL — PhD
Known for: DeepMind; AlphaGo; AlphaFold
Previously: Bullfrog game developer; Elixir Studios founder
Coverage: General-purpose AI; scientific discovery

Sources checked 16 October 2026. Selected career milestones and biographical references.

Career, in context.

Selected milestones, newest first. Explore earlier career below.

2024
Receives the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Hassabis and John Jumper share recognition for protein-structure prediction.
Source: Google DeepMind
2023
Leads Google DeepMind
DeepMind and the Google Brain team are brought together under his leadership.
Source: Google DeepMind
2020
AlphaFold advances protein prediction
DeepMind’s system achieves a major result at the CASP14 assessment.
Source: Wikipedia
2016
AlphaGo defeats Lee Sedol
The match becomes a milestone for DeepMind’s AI research.
Source: Wikipedia

Show earlier careerHide earlier career · 3 milestones

More than 10 years ago.

2010
Co-founds DeepMind
He starts the London AI company with Shane Legg and Mustafa Suleyman.
Source: Wikipedia
2009
Completes a neuroscience PhD
Hassabis completes doctoral research at University College London.
Source: Wikipedia
1998
Founds Elixir Studios
He establishes a game-development company before returning to neuroscience.
Source: Wikipedia