Keaton PetersA new research partnership is aiming to use artificial intelligence to keep America safe. The University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory are joining forces to establish a new high-performance computing and artificial intelligence research facility in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
The partnership aims to enhance national security research capabilities while creating new jobs and strengthening Michigan’s position in the growing AI ecosystem.
The facility will comprise two computing centers – one dedicated to Los Alamos scientists conducting national security AI research and an academic computing center enabling collaboration between university researchers and Los Alamos staff. The project builds upon a recently established $15 million research contract between the two institutions.
Artificial intelligence capabilities are rapidly advancing and raising new national security considerations. Hostile cyberattacks could get more sophisticated with AI, and at the same time, AI shows potential to help detect emerging threats.
With partnerships between academic institutions and national laboratories, researchers are looking to maintain America’s technological edge by furthering research in this critical arena while bringing a key part of the burgeoning field to Michigan.
“Los Alamos drives a wide range of vital national security programs that utilize high-performance computing, AI and other capabilities like advanced materials and manufacturing to provide leading-edge solutions to some of the world’s most challenging problems,” said Thom Mason, director of Los Alamos National Laboratory, in a press release.
The project’s funding structure is expected to include a combination of federal and state economic development funds. The academic computing center will support multidisciplinary research projects and provide opportunities for workforce development programs on AI. University of Michigan students and faculty will have access to advanced computing resources while collaborating with Los Alamos researchers on pressing national security challenges.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, established in 1943 and located northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is one of 17 national laboratories operated by the U.S. Department of Energy. The lab plays a crucial role in national security research and development.
This facility is part of a broader five-year partnership between the institutions, which began earlier this year with a focus on developing advanced computing technologies for complex challenges like nuclear fusion energy research. The expanded agreement will now encompass artificial intelligence, materials science, and advanced manufacturing.
“Our new partnership and growing collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory will sustain and strengthen U-M’s impact and excellence in research, innovation and discovery,” said U-M President Santa Ono.
Image by Brian Penny from Pixabay
