Google DeepMind Research Ready Programme

The programme offers you the opportunity to work on AI projects that address real-world challenges and will be powered by computing facilities at Exeter.

Research themes include (but are not limited to):

• Trustworthy AI: Designing ethical, transparent, and secure AI systems.
• Environmental Intelligence: Developing AI tools for climate modelling, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainable resource management.
• AI for Healthcare: Advancing precision medicine, predictive diagnostics, and healthcare delivery optimization.
• Urban Analytics: Leveraging AI to improve urban infrastructure, planning, and smart city technologies.
• Computational Social Science: Using AI to analyse societal behaviours and improve public policies.
• Data-Centric Engineering: Innovating AI applications in engineering design, systems optimization, and real-time monitoring.
• Complex Systems Analysis: Exploring how AI can model and analyse large-scale, interconnected systems like ecosystems or financial markets.
• Evolutionary Optimisation: Developing AI systems inspired by natural selection to solve intricate optimisation problems.
• Ethical AI: Addressing critical issues like fairness, bias, accountability, and the societal impact of AI technologies.

A defining feature is an emphasis on mentorship and community building, ensuring you have the guidance and support to excel throughout your journey and have lasting connections within the AI research community.

Faculty mentorship

• Each participant is paired with a dedicated faculty mentor from the Department of Computer Science and Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI), matched to your research interests and goals.
• Mentors will meet with you weekly to review progress, provide feedback, and guide you through your project, ensuring you make the most of this hands-on learning opportunity.

PhD buddy system

• To foster peer-to-peer support, each student will be matched with a PhD student “buddy” who shares a similar academic or research background.
• Your buddy will offer guidance on navigating the research environment, provide practical advice, and help with academic and social integration.

Inclusive research environment

• The programme ensures diversity in mentorship in STEM. You’ll benefit from a supportive and collaborative atmosphere where faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and peers work together to create an inspiring and inclusive learning experience.

Community building activities

• Regular cohort meetings, group discussions, and social events will be organized to strengthen bonds among participants, mentors, and PhD buddies.
• This network will serve as a foundation for your future academic and professional endeavours.

The programme spans eight weeks, beginning with an orientation week to introduce you to Exeter’s AI research ecosystem, advanced tools, and ethical AI practices.

Over the next six weeks, you’ll engage in hands-on research under expert mentorship, focusing on algorithm development and real-world problem-solving.

Weekly workshops, seminars, and training sessions will enhance your skills in AI programming, machine learning techniques, and ethical considerations.

In the final week, you’ll present your research at a capstone event attended by faculty and industry leaders, showcasing your work and exploring future opportunities.

The programme includes interactive workshops and seminars to build both technical and transferable skills:

• Technical training: AI programming, machine learning fundamentals, deep learning modelling, computer vision, reinforcement learning, and natural language processing.
• Advanced topics: Deep learning frameworks, statistical analysis, feature engineering, evolutionary algorithms, and ethical AI decision-making.
• Career focus: Explore pathways in academia, research, and industry with guidance from AI professionals and career advisors.

• World-class research: We are a Russell Group university renowned for interdisciplinary innovation and impactful AI research.
• State-of-the-art facilities: Access the ADA high-performance computing system, and cutting-edge laboratories.
• Global partnerships: Collaborate with leading organizations like the Met Office, Google DeepMind, and the Alan Turing Institute.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities: Work across fields like environmental science, healthcare, and engineering, broadening your expertise and career prospects.
• Inspiring campus: Study on a vibrant, picturesque, and eco-friendly campus in the beautiful Devon countryside.
• Inclusive community: Thrive in a diverse, supportive environment committed to excellence and equity.