By the time chatbots and other trendy AI tech began dominating business and pop culture, ORNL had already spent four and a half decades advancing AI as a cutting-edge research tool. In other words, if you were born the day the Oak Ridge Applied Artificial Intelligence Project was created in 1979, AARP flyers might soon be arriving in your mail.
So how do those decades of experience show up in 2024? AI permeates every facet of ORNL research, accelerating work that’s already groundbreaking. From supercomputing to climate science, AI drives the laboratories, test beds and field work that have made ORNL one of the world’s preeminent research institutions. Our teams are also leading the way in making AI safe, trustworthy and energy efficient.
Here are five ways Oak Ridge National Laboratory is using artificial intelligence to transform our everyday lives. — Mark Alewine
AI for materials
There are innumerable combinations of elements and existing materials out there. To find the ones that will revolutionize our lives, try a large language model.
AI for pharmaceuticals
How do you find the perfect drug molecule to kill the disease and save the patient? How about with an AI foundational model?
AI for the power grid
The electrical grid is very complex, and it is getting more complex all the time. With AI, we can anticipate and prevent shutdowns before they become catastrophic.
AI for climate and weather forecasting
AI foundational models are unfogging our crystal ball, giving us the tools to better understand our climate’s trajectory and prepare for weather disasters well in advance.
AI for national security
In the right hands, AI tools can be a dream come true. In the wrong hands, they can be a nightmare. ORNL is working to avert the nightmare.
Read more about AI for national security.