DeepMind’s David Silver Raises $1.1B to Build AI That Learns Without Human Data

Ineffable Intelligence, a UK-based AI startup established just months ago by ex-DeepMind researcher David Silver, has secured $1.1 billion in funding at a $5.1 billion valuation, positioning itself to challenge large language models with novel AI architectures.

As detailed on its newly launched website, Ineffable Intelligence aims to build a “superlearner” that acquires knowledge and skills independently of human data, utilizing reinforcement learning to learn through trial and error—a core strength of Silver’s research background.

Now a professor at University College London, Silver previously led the reinforcement learning team at Google-owned DeepMind, where he worked for over a decade before departing to launch this new venture.

During his tenure at DeepMind, Silver contributed to systems that defeated professional players in chess and Go by learning solely from experience, without relying on human strategies or game records, thereby surpassing top computer programs in both games. AlphaZero was the most prominent example. Similarly, Ineffable Intelligence intends for its superlearner to derive all knowledge from its own interactions.

While its superlearner may be inexperienced, the company’s ambitions are vast. “If successful, this will represent a scientific breakthrough of comparable magnitude to Darwin: where his law explained all Life, our law will explain and build all Intelligence,” the company states on its website (including the capitalization).

In a personal note published on the company’s blog, Silver described Ineffable Intelligence as “his life’s work” and told Wired that any profits generated will be donated to high-impact charities focused on saving the maximum number of lives.

Although the timeline and methods for monetization remain unclear, these uncertainties have not impeded the company’s ability to raise capital.

According to Wired, the funding round was led by Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners, with additional investments from Index Ventures, Google, Nvidia, and others. Notable participants include the British Business Bank and Sovereign AI, the UK’s newly established sovereign AI venture fund.

Having achieved pentacorn status—valued at over $5 billion—Ineffable Intelligence joins a select group of AI startups founded by renowned researchers whose seed rounds have grown so large they are colloquially termed “coconut rounds” (an ironic escalation of the term “seed”). Just last month, AMI Labs, co-founded by Turing Award winner and former Meta AI scientist Yann LeCun, raised $1.03 billion at a $3.5 billion pre-money valuation.

More companies may follow this model. Recursive Superintelligence, co-founded by former DeepMind principal scientist Tim Rocktäschel and incorporated in the UK, reportedly raised $500 million, with demand strong enough to potentially double that figure to $1 billion.

While Recursive also maintains US connections, these developments highlight London’s growing momentum as an AI hub. This trend is partly driven by DeepMind’s continued presence following its 2014 acquisition by Google, but extends beyond DeepMind. Jeff Bezos’ AI lab, Project Prometheus, is reportedly negotiating for office space near Google’s AI hub.

This ecosystem fosters a robust alumni network, with several former DeepMind employees reportedly joining Ineffable’s executive team.