Could Google's robot army behave like HUMANS? Firm buys artificial intelligence startup DeepMind for a rumoured £302m London-based firm DeepMind specialises in 'machine learning' Google confirmed the acquisition but did not comment further The acquisition is reported to have cost Google up to $500m (£302m) Ethics board is said to have been set up to ensure the tech isn't 'abused' Facebook was also said to have been in negotiations to buy the firm This acquisition follows Google's purchase of seven robotics companies If acquiring an empire of robots wasn't worrying enough, Google has now bought a company that could make these robots act just like humans. Reports claim the California tech giant acquired London-based artificial intelligence (AI) firm DeepMind for around $500m (£302m) - although some reports quote the figure closer to $400m (£242m). DeepMind specialises in 'machine learning' - designing computers that learn from their mistakes - and was set up by a group of neuroscientists and AI experts. Reports claim Google acquired London-based artificial intelligence firm DeepMind for around $500m (£302m), although some reports quote the figure closer to $400m (£242m). DeepMind specialises in 'machine learning' designing computers that can learn from their mistakes The acquisition of DeepMind isn't Google's first foray into artificial intelligence and machine learning. Its most recent Hummingbird search update was created to make Google 'more human' - searches can now understand context, like a human brain, for example. Its Google Now app uses "predictive analysis" to predict what Android users will do next, before offering relevant help and information at each step without ever being asked. Google also hired futurist Ray Kurzweil as Engineering Director in 2012. Kurzweil has famously claimed that in just over 30 years, humans will be able to upload their entire minds to computers and become digitally immortal - an event called singularity. He also claimed the biological parts of our body will be replaced with mechanical parts and this could happen as early as 2100. This latest acquisition follows Google's recent purchase of seven robotics firms, including Meka, which makes humanoid robots, and Industrial Perception, which specialises in machines that can package goods and load up lorries, for example. Google confirmed the acquisition of DeepMind, but did not reveal exactly how much it had paid for the AI firm. Reports from The Information state that Facebook had also been in negotiations to buy the startup. DeepMind was set up by neuroscientist Demis Hassabis, along with AI experts Shane Legg and Mustafa Suleyman. The website states DeepMind uses "the best techniques from machine learning and systems neuroscience to build powerful general-purpose learning algorithms." It has previously created algorithms for retailers, as well as gamers. It is unknown how Google will use and develop DeepMind's technology, but it could be added to Google's plans for its robotics empire. Google recently bought a series of robotic companies including California-based Meka, which makes humanoid robots, pictured. The firm isn't expected to make these technologies available to consumers but instead could use them to automate deliveries of goods, or use them to develop DeepMind's artificial intelligence technology With this in mind, reports claim Google has agreed to set up an ethics board to make sure the DeepMind AI technology isn't 'abused', sources familiar with the plans told The Information. DeepMind designs machine learning algorithms for retailers and gamers The DeepMind-Google ethics board is set to create a series of rules and restrictions over the use of the technology. This isn't Google's first foray into artificial intelligence and machine learning. Its most recent Hummingbird search update was created to make Google 'more human.' Searches can now understand context, like a human brain, for example. Its Google Now app uses 'predictive analysis' to predict what Android users will do next, before offering relevant help and information at each step without ever being asked. DeepMind isn't Google's first foray into artificial intelligence and machine learning. Google hired futurist Ray Kurzweil, pictured, as Engineering Director in 2012. He claims in just over 30 years, humans will be able to upload their entire minds to computers and become digitally immortal