The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced 26 new science and technology challenges as part of the Genesis Mission, an initiative designed to accelerate innovation and discovery using artificial intelligence (AI). These challenges address key areas within DOE’s science, energy, and national security missions.
The Genesis Mission builds on executive orders aimed at promoting American leadership in AI. The selected challenges are intended to provide measurable benefits for the public by leveraging DOE’s AI platforms, research facilities, and partnerships with industry and academia.
“These challenges represent a bold step toward a future where science moves at the speed of imagination because of AI. It’s a game-changer for science, energy, and national security,” said DOE Under Secretary for Science and Genesis Mission Lead Dr. Darío Gil. “By uniting the U.S. Government’s unparalleled data resources and DOE’s experimental facilities with cutting-edge AI, we can unlock discoveries that will power the economy, secure our energy future, and keep America at the forefront of global innovation.”
Michael Kratsios, Assistant to the President and Director of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, added: “President Trump’s Genesis Mission is mobilizing America’s unmatched scientific infrastructure and AI ingenuity to double the pace of discovery. These 26 challenges are a direct call to action to America’s researchers and innovators to join the Genesis Mission and deliver science and technology breakthroughs that will benefit the American people. We look forward to expanding the list of challenges across Federal agencies to bring even greater impact to the Mission.”
The DOE aims for these efforts—carried out in collaboration with its National Laboratories—to result in practical outcomes such as:
– Improving power grid planning through AI for faster decisions and enhanced reliability.
– Digitizing decades of nuclear research into a secure database.
– Using AI in particle accelerators for advancements in medicine, materials, and energy.
– Designing new materials based on performance goals using AI.
– Modeling underground environments with AI for responsible energy development.
– Automating laboratories for quicker discovery in drugs, materials, and energy technologies.
– Enhancing manufacturing productivity through AI-driven systems.
– Accelerating quantum algorithm development with AI.
– Advancing microelectronics to maintain U.S. technological leadership.
These initiatives align with other federal programs focused on clean energy transitions. For example, in July 2022, DOE announced a $225 million program funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help implement updated building energy codes aimed at lowering utility bills (https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-launches-225-million-program-lower-utility-bills-through-more). The department also supports international cooperation on clean energy transitions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sebmi2QGbV4), advances vehicle decarbonization through funding opportunities (https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-96-million-advancing-clean-vehicle-technologies-reduce-carbon-emissions), highlights technology development at national labs (https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/technology-development-aiding-em-mission-senior-advisor-white-tells-congress), applies innovative processes at cleanup sites (https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/srs-tackles-groundwater-issue-using-innovative-passive-energy-process), and manages more than 140 programs supporting investments in disadvantaged communities under President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative (https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-more-140-programs-supporting-president-bidens-justice40-initiative).
According to DOE Acting Under Secretary of Energy Alex Fitzsimmons: “AI has tremendous potential to amplify the Trump Administration’s mission to unleash American energy dominance. Thanks to Secretary Wright’s leadership, these Genesis Mission challenges will help DOE leverage AI-enabled tools to build a more affordable, reliable, and secure energy system for the American people.”
DOE Under Secretary for Nuclear Security Brandon Williams stated: “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Genesis Mission harnesses AI to strengthen America’s national security. By leveraging AI across our missions—from modernizing our nuclear deterrent to safeguarding critical infrastructure—we will ensure America remains at the forefront of global security and technological leadership. This commitment to applying cutting-edge science and technology protects our nation, marking a pivotal step towards a more secure, prosperous, and innovative future through collaborative federal efforts.”
For additional information about all 26 challenges under this initiative or further details about ongoing projects referenced above visit https://www.energy.gov/.
