Pioneers of AI How Google DeepMind is building AI that can help humanity
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Jul 23, 2025 
Lila Ibrahim, the COO of Google DeepMind and former Coursera executive, is on a mission to develop AI that benefits humanity. She discusses DeepMind's revolutionary projects like AlphaFold, which predicts protein structures, and how AI is transforming education. Lila emphasizes the importance of managing risks in AI development and advocates for inclusive and responsible technology. The conversation also touches on practical applications of AI in everyday life and the ethical considerations that come with such powerful innovations.
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Inspiration from Father's Engineering
- Lila Ibrahim grew up inspired by her father's designs of microchips that saved lives.
- Her passion for engineering arose from the blend of art, math, and science benefiting people.
From Intel to VC to Startup Builder
- Lila transitioned from Intel to VC at Kleiner Perkins, working with visionary entrepreneurs like Mary Meeker.
- She enjoyed seeing big ideas and later chose to join Coursera to build rather than invest.
Unexpected Journey to DeepMind
- Lila intended to take a year off from work when John Doerr introduced her to a key entrepreneur.
- After 50 hours of interviews, she accepted the COO role at Google DeepMind and has stayed for over seven years.