Google DeepMind is making a calculated move to secure its supply chain and expand artificial intelligence beyond chatbots into the physical world. CEO Demis Hassabis traveled to South Korea in late April 2026 to meet with the heads of the country's four largest conglomerates, signaling that the race for artificial general intelligence (AGI) now depends as much on hardware partnerships as it does on breakthrough algorithms.

Why Is Google DeepMind Suddenly Focused on South Korea?

Hassabis's visit to Seoul was not ceremonial. The meetings 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 centered on two critical business needs: securing stable supplies of advanced memory chips, particularly high-bandwidth memory used in AI systems, and exploring partnerships in "physical AI," the application of AI systems to real-world industries and physical environments.

The timing matters. As AI companies race to build larger models and deploy them across industries, the bottleneck has shifted from software innovation to hardware availability. South Korea is home to the world's largest memory chip manufacturers, making it essential territory for any AI company pursuing AGI.

What Does "Physical AI" Actually Mean for These Companies?

Physical AI represents a fundamental shift in how AI is deployed. Rather than limiting AI to text-based assistants like Gemini, physical AI applies machine learning systems to robotics, autonomous vehicles, smart home devices, and industrial automation. Discussions with Hyundai Motor Group likely focused on autonomous driving and mobility solutions, while conversations with LG Group probably explored applications in home appliances and robotics.

This expansion aligns with DeepMind's broader mission. Hassabis has stated that Google DeepMind already maintains partnerships with "excellent companies in South Korea" and that those relationships would "expand and deepen". The company is pursuing AGI, which requires convergence of deep learning, natural language processing, robotics, and other technologies working in concert.

How to Understand Google DeepMind's Strategic Priorities

• Semiconductor Infrastructure: Talks with Samsung Electronics and SK Group centered on securing memory chips needed for advanced AI systems, addressing a critical supply chain vulnerability as AI models grow larger and more computationally demanding.
• Real-World Applications: Discussions with Hyundai Motor Group and LG Group explored applying AI to mobility, home appliances, robotics, and other physical industries, moving beyond software-only deployments.
• Regional Market Expansion: Google Korea highlighted accelerating usage of Google AI products in the Asia-Pacific region, positioning South Korea as an "AI First Mover" and key market for product adoption and developer engagement.

The visit also carried symbolic weight. Hassabis returned to South Korea roughly a decade after DeepMind's AlphaGo defeated Go master Lee Sedol in 2016, a watershed moment that demonstrated AI could exhibit creativity and intuition in ways humans had not anticipated. At the "Google for Korea 2026" event on April 29, Hassabis reunited with Lee and reflected on AlphaGo's 37th move in game two as "the most incredible moment" that showed AI could exhibit creativity.

"It's great to be back here kind of the center of where it all started," Hassabis said at the event.

Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind

During the same event, Hassabis spoke about AI enabling a "renaissance" in science and medicine. He stated that AI could help solve major global challenges, saying, "I think we could maybe even like solve all diseases in the next 10 to 20 years. We can use these technologies to help the environment and new energy sources".

What's the Broader Context for These Partnerships?

Google DeepMind's South Korea strategy arrives amid significant internal and external pressures. In the United States, the Pentagon announced agreements with Google and six other AI companies to deploy their technology on classified military networks for "any lawful purpose," a move that has sparked internal backlash within Google.

The military contracts have triggered unionization efforts at Google DeepMind's UK offices. In May 2026, employees requested official recognition of two unions, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Unite, with 98% of CWU members backing the bid. The workers are demanding an end to use of Google AI by the U.S. and Israeli militaries, restoration of a scrapped commitment not to make AI weapons or surveillance tools, and the creation of an independent ethics oversight body.

"By exercising their rights to collectivise, they are in a strong position to demand their employer stop circling the ethical drain of military-industrial contracts, echoing the sentiment of many working people in the UK and elsewhere," said John Chadfield, CWU national officer for tech workers.

John Chadfield, CWU National Officer for Tech Workers

More than 600 Google employees signed an open letter opposing the Pentagon deal before it was announced, citing concerns that the tools could be leveraged by the military to cause harm, including enabling autonomous weapons and mass surveillance. The unionization effort represents an attempt to restore employee leverage that has eroded since 2018, when Google employees successfully forced the company to abandon Project Maven, a Pentagon program to integrate AI into drone operations.

Against this backdrop, Hassabis's focus on South Korea suggests Google DeepMind is pursuing a diversified strategy. By securing partnerships with major Asian conglomerates and emphasizing commercial applications in mobility, home appliances, and robotics, the company is building a foundation for AGI development that extends beyond military contracts and addresses the supply chain vulnerabilities that could constrain its ambitions.

The South Korea visit also signals confidence in the region's technological ecosystem. Lee Sedol's reflection on the AlphaGo match underscores how transformative that moment was for global AI perception. "Everything changed after AlphaGo," Lee stated. "I realized how narrow my perspective was". A decade later, Hassabis is betting that South Korea's chip manufacturers and industrial conglomerates will be essential partners in the next chapter of AI development, one where algorithms meet hardware, robotics, and real-world applications.