2015 DeepMind Board Meeting Reveals Space Exploration Plan

In a retrospective look at 2015, leadership discussed a goal to deploy autonomous von Neumann probes by the year 2100.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a robotic probe component and architectural structure, representing long-term space exploration ambitions. — A 2015 DeepMind board meeting at SpaceX headquarters included discussions on Larry Page's long-term vision for deploying autonomous interstellar robotic probes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe humanity should prioritize long-term investment in interstellar space exploration?

In a 2015 meeting at the SpaceX headquarters, Larry Page outlined a vision for reaching other galaxies using autonomous von Neumann probes by 2100. The discussion occurred during the inaugural session of the DeepMind AI Ethics and Safety Board.

Why it matters

The meeting underscores the long-term, speculative ambitions held by early AI leaders during the foundational period of Google's acquisition of DeepMind. These discussions highlight the integration of far-reaching engineering goals within the governance structures governing AI safety and ethical oversight.

Larry Page projected the use of self-propelling von Neumann probes—robotic spacecraft capable of autonomous energy harvesting and self-replication—to explore galaxies by 2100. The board that hosted these discussions was established in 2014 following the Google acquisition of DeepMind.

The players

Larry Page

Co-founder of Google who led early discussions on long-term technological and space exploration goals.

Mustafa Suleyman

Co-founder of DeepMind who participated in the establishment of AI ethical governance structures.

Elon Musk

CEO of SpaceX who served as a jointly selected independent board member for the ethics committee.

DeepMind

An AI research laboratory focused on artificial general intelligence that was acquired by Google in 2014.

The details

The DeepMind AI Ethics and Safety Board was mandated as a condition of Google's 2014 acquisition of the AI research lab. Comprised of leadership from both companies, including Demis Hassabis and Shane Legg, the board aimed to provide independent oversight. During their first 2015 meeting, the group discussed Page's hypothesis regarding interstellar travel via autonomous robotic probes.

2014 marked the year Google acquired DeepMind.
2015 saw the first meeting of the DeepMind AI Ethics and Safety Board.
2100 serves as the target date for proposed interstellar exploration.

The Tech Race

This historical look follows the structural patterns set by the 2014 Google acquisition of DeepMind. It places early internal governance discussions alongside the broader research trajectory of autonomous space exploration.

This development represents a historical record of long-term vision-setting within major tech companies rather than a consumer-facing product. There are no immediate technical prerequisites or workflow changes for the public.

The takeaway

The 2015 session highlights the intersection of high-level AI ethics governance and speculative interstellar engineering goals. Observers can monitor future research milestones related to autonomous robotic probes to see if these long-term projections remain part of the industry roadmap.