Google DeepMind, in collaboration with Google Cloud, is organising the Google DeepMind APAC Research Symposium 2026, a three-day programme bringing together AI researchers, faculty members, and high-calibre students from across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
The symposium is designed to provide participants with opportunities to explore major developments in artificial intelligence, learn about cutting-edge research techniques, engage with leading experts, and examine the limitations, challenges, and critical perspectives surrounding rapidly advancing AI technologies.
The programme will feature separate sessions for faculty members and students, creating opportunities for both established researchers and emerging AI talent to engage with developments shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Faculty Day – 28 October 2026
The first day of the symposium will take place on 28 October 2026 and is dedicated exclusively to faculty members from the APAC region.
Participation on Faculty Day is by invitation only. The event is intended to bring together leading AI faculty for discussions around emerging research directions, infrastructure, and developments in artificial intelligence.
The programme will feature:
- Keynote presentations from leading experts.
- Research showcases highlighting emerging AI work.
- Interactive roundtable discussions.
- Discussions on core AI advancements.
- Exploration of AI systems and infrastructure.
Faculty members will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, examine emerging research challenges, and engage directly with other researchers working across the region.
Student Days – 29–30 October 2026
The second and third days of the symposium, taking place on 29 and 30 October 2026, will focus on selected students and invited speakers.
The two-day programme is designed for high-calibre undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students interested in artificial intelligence research and its emerging applications.
Selected participants will have opportunities to learn directly from global AI experts through a combination of technical and interactive sessions.
The student programme will include:
- Deep-dive lectures on emerging AI research.
- Poster showcases featuring research and ideas.
- Mentorship panels with experienced AI researchers.
- Opportunities to engage with global experts.
- Exposure to cutting-edge developments across major AI research areas.
The symposium is expected to provide students with valuable exposure to current research directions while enabling them to connect with researchers and other emerging AI professionals from across the APAC region.
Key Research Tracks
The symposium will explore four major research tracks covering important areas of modern artificial intelligence.
Agentic AI
This track focuses on AI systems capable of performing tasks with greater autonomy, including systems that can reason, plan, use tools, and complete multi-step objectives.
Multimodal AI
The multimodal track examines AI systems capable of processing and working across multiple forms of information, potentially including text, images, audio, video, and other data modalities.
AI for World
This track explores the application of artificial intelligence to real-world challenges and opportunities, highlighting how AI can contribute to broader societal and practical outcomes.
Systems for AI
The systems track focuses on the infrastructure, computing systems, and technical foundations required to develop, train, deploy, and operate increasingly capable AI systems efficiently and reliably.
Who Is the Symposium For?
The programme is tailored to members of the academic and research community across the APAC region, with different participation arrangements for faculty and students.
The student component is particularly relevant to:
- Undergraduate students studying AI, computer science, engineering, data science, or related disciplines.
- Master’s students pursuing advanced study and research in AI-related fields.
- PhD students conducting research in artificial intelligence and associated areas.
- Emerging researchers interested in learning from leading global AI experts.
Faculty Day is specifically intended for invited academic faculty members, while Student Days will involve selected students and invited speakers.
Why Participate?
The Google DeepMind APAC Research Symposium provides an opportunity to gain exposure to frontier AI research while engaging with researchers working on some of the field’s most important technical challenges.
Participants can benefit from expert-led learning, research showcases, mentorship discussions, and interaction with a broader AI research community. The programme also provides an avenue for emerging researchers to better understand current AI developments, research methodologies, technological limitations, and areas requiring further investigation.
The symposium will take place from 28–30 October 2026, with Faculty Day on 28 October and Student Days on 29–30 October.
