AI-driven expansion of nuclear capabilities at two national research facilities: Doubling down on artificial intelligence for risk assessment, production, and related aspects
The race to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gaining momentum across the United States, with several national laboratories leading the charge.
At Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, AI is making waves by analysing thousands of pages of documents in a matter of hours, a task that would typically take months for human beings. Jay Eckles, division director for application development at Oak Ridge, views this technology not as a threat to jobs but as a tool that those who know how to use it can leverage. He compares AI to a "really smart intern" that can accelerate human performance.
Meanwhile, at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, located near Silicon Valley, Mark Pettit, a leader in AI work, is spearheading an initiative to save a million man-hours using AI. The lab is also piloting major large language model pilots and has a lab-wide initiative called "AI edge" to upskill its workforce. They are using gamification of learning to encourage upskilling.
The energy secretary has referred to AI as the Manhattan Project of our time, emphasising its potential impact. Particularly talented AI specialists engaged at the DOE National Laboratories, including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, include Andrea Kritcher, Mike Dunne, Jeff Lawson, and Drew Willard. Kritcher, Dunne, and Lawson founded the startup Inertia focused on laser-driven inertial fusion commercialization in partnership with LLNL, while Drew Willard optimises laser beam paths for inertial fusion at LLNL.
The buildout of data centers to power AI technology is ongoing across the country. This technological advancement is seen as a tool that can help lift heavy workloads, similar to how a forklift can lift heavy masses.
The responsibilities of the national labs under the White House's AI Action Plan are coming into focus in the months ahead. Proposed cuts to the labs have left many observers confused, but the labs are expected to continue pushing forward on AI experimentation.
Eckles emphasises the need for human involvement in AI, stating that AI is a "giant bag of words" that needs guidance, verification, and validation. He believes that AI should be seen as a partner to human intelligence, not a replacement.
The Trump administration's AI Action Plan mentions AI, and it is expected that 17 DOE-run national laboratories will focus on AI in the future. AI is even being used at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee for procurement.
As the AI revolution continues, these national laboratories are at the forefront of this exciting technological advancement, paving the way for a future where AI and human intelligence work together to solve complex problems and drive progress.
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