Trump $5bn AI science initiative

Trump administration announces $5bn AI science initiative across 15 agencies

9 reported

The Trump administration announced a $5bn effort to use artificial intelligence to address longstanding scientific problems, according to a statement released Wednesday. Fifteen federal agencies will participate, including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Energy, Transportation, Defense and Interior. The funding will target root causes of chronic diseases, accelerate drug discovery and develop longer-lasting building materials, among other tasks. Scientists will gain access to Department of Energy supercomputers, AI and specialized datasets, said Michael Kratsios, chief technology adviser to Donald Trump. The administration also released a report Tuesday night proposing to overhaul federal research funding by supporting more individual scientists and AI use rather than universities, giving the government more control over spending. Microsoft will donate $40m in AI computing credits over three years to support the effort.

What’s reported

The US will spend $5bn on an AI-for-science initiative, announced Wednesday.

Fifteen federal agencies are involved, including Health and Human Services, Energy, Transportation, Defense and Interior.

Goals include identifying root causes of chronic diseases, accelerating drug discovery and developing longer-lasting building materials.

Scientists will have access to Department of Energy supercomputers, AI and specialized datasets.

Michael Kratsios, chief technology adviser to Donald Trump, made the announcement in an interview with Reuters.

A White House report released Tuesday night, authored by Kratsios, proposes overhauling federal research funding to support individual scientists and AI use rather than universities.

The report states: “Federal support for science must be politically accountable.”

Federal courts have pushed back on Trump’s efforts to control research dollars; an appeals panel said in January the administration cannot cut NIH grant funding to universities.

Microsoft will donate $40m in AI computing credits over three years.