Ex-DeepMind researchers raise $50m for AI science startup Inherent

2026-05-29 · Source: Sifted · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

London-based AI lab Inherent has emerged from stealth, securing a \$50m funding round led by Index Ventures with participation from Radical Ventures. Founded by former DeepMind researchers Tantum Collins, Edward Hughes, Louis Kirsch, and Kaloyan Aleksiev (ex-Reka AI, Microsoft), the startup aims to pioneer "AI-native science." Their AI platform, "Faraday," is designed to integrate human scientific inquiry with advanced AI systems to generate novel inventions and innovations. Index Ventures partner Danny Rimer noted that Inherent addresses the critical gap where AI can answer questions but not determine which questions are worth asking, a capability essential for groundbreaking discoveries like penicillin or the GPU. The team includes specialists in technical AI safety and democratic applications of AI, with former UK government AI tsar Matt Clifford joining as an adviser.

Key takeaway

For entrepreneurs developing AI solutions or directors setting research strategy, Inherent's approach highlights a critical, underserved area: AI's role in generating novel questions, not just answers. Your focus should extend beyond optimizing existing solutions to exploring how AI can augment human curiosity and foundational discovery. Consider investing in or developing platforms that foster this "AI-native science" to achieve truly transformative innovations and maintain a competitive edge.

Key insights

Inherent aims to build "AI-native science" by combining human curiosity with advanced AI to discover novel inventions.

Principles

• AI can identify answers, not questions.
• Cooperative AI research drives innovation.
• AI safety and democratic applications are core.

Method

Inherent's "Faraday" platform integrates human scientific research with advanced AI systems to produce novel inventions and innovations.

In practice

• Combine human intuition with AI for discovery.
• Focus AI on question generation, not just answers.
• Prioritize AI safety in new ventures.

Topics

• AI-native Science
• Startup Funding
• DeepMind Alumni
• AI Research Platforms
• Cooperative AI
• AI Safety
• Venture Capital

Best for: Investor, Entrepreneur, Director of AI/ML

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Sifted.