Training the Next Generation of AI Innovators: Google DeepMind Research Ready Programme at Queen Mary
The Google DeepMind Research Ready programme supports UK universities in offering research placements to undergraduate students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented groups in engineering. This initiative provides a vital opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research, equipping them with essential skills and confidence to progress in this field.
Its primary goal is to broaden participation in AI research by addressing obstacles faced by undergraduates seeking advanced degrees and careers. By fostering a more diverse AI research community, the programme encourages a wider range of perspectives and innovative solutions for future challenges.
Research Projects and Academic Collaboration
At Queen Mary’s School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), students worked closely with academics and PhD mentors on projects that explore various AI topics. These included:
- Detecting hallucinations in large language models (LLMs) through growing sequences
- Predicting atrial fibrillation treatment outcomes using digital twins
- Investigating whether LLMs process music in a manner similar to humans
- Developing brain-inspired multimodal systems integrating vision and hearing
- Assessing fairness in multimodal language models
- Comparing pre-scaled neural and symbolic embedding methods
Building Skills Beyond Research
Participants also enhanced their academic and professional capabilities through sessions on research methods, career pathways, and personal development. The programme included enriching activities such as a visit to Bletchley Park, networking with researchers at the Digital Environment Research Institute, and an evening focused on generative AI in music.
The experience culminated in an academic poster session where students presented their work. They will also attend a celebration event hosted by the Royal Academy of Engineering in September.
Student Reflections
Maryam Fetanat, a 4th year Design Engineering student from Imperial College London, shared: “I have gained confidence in myself and my future path. I now understand the research and publishing process during a PhD and what it’s like to work with advanced AI models to improve a small but meaningful part of the field. I would definitely recommend the programme at Queen Mary to other students — I’ve learned so much and only wish I’d had the opportunity earlier in my studies. But it’s never too late to benefit from the experience.”
Rajpreet Athwal, a 2nd year Computer Science undergraduate at Queen Mary, added: “I would definitely recommend this programme to other students. It helps build foundational skills relevant to both research and industry careers. Before the programme, I was focused on entering industry after graduation, but now I’m much more open to pursuing a master’s in AI and machine learning. It also gave me a clearer understanding of what AI researchers actually do.”
Programme Leadership Perspective
Professor Steve Uhlig, Head of EECS, highlighted the importance of diversity in AI development: “If we want AI to benefit society, we must ensure its development reflects a diverse range of voices and experiences. This programme gives our students meaningful research experience, opportunities to collaborate with leading experts, and a chance to envision the future of AI. I am very proud of their achievements in such a short time.”
About the Google DeepMind Research Ready Programme
The programme is a partnership between the Royal Academy of Engineering, Google DeepMind, and The Hg Foundation. It funds up to 120 paid AI research placements across 12 UK universities during summer 2025.
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