The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced 26 new science and technology challenges as part of the Genesis Mission, aiming to accelerate innovation and discovery through artificial intelligence (AI). These challenges address areas across DOE’s core missions in discovery science, energy, and national security.
The initiative builds on executive orders from President Trump that focus on advancing the Genesis Mission and removing barriers to American leadership in AI. The selected challenges are designed to deliver measurable benefits for the public and promote advancements using AI platforms, national laboratories, 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, stated: “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.”
Among the efforts highlighted are using AI for faster grid planning, digitizing decades of nuclear research data for secure decision-making, deploying adaptive particle accelerators for medical advances, designing materials with specific functions in shorter timeframes, modeling underground environments for energy development, automating laboratories for quicker drug discovery, strengthening manufacturing productivity through AI-driven systems, accelerating quantum algorithm development for breakthroughs in various fields like chemistry or logistics, and advancing microelectronics manufacturing.
These projects align with ongoing DOE efforts such as funding programs aimed at lowering utility bills by implementing efficient building codes funded by bipartisan legislation (https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-launches-225-million-program-lower-utility-bills-through-more), supporting clean vehicle technologies through significant investments (https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-96-million-advancing-clean-vehicle-technologies-reduce-carbon-emissions), applying innovative processes at cleanup sites (https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/srs-tackles-groundwater-issue-using-innovative-passive-energy-process), leveraging national laboratory expertise in environmental management (https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/technology-development-aiding-em-mission-senior-advisor-white-tells-congress), encouraging international collaboration on clean energy transitions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sebmi2QGbV4), and ensuring equitable access through initiatives like Justice40 which channels investments into disadvantaged communities (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 added: “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 more information about these challenges or details on participating organizations or partnerships involved in these initiatives visit https://www.energy.gov/.
