WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Interior Department is directing about $110 million in fiscal years 2025 and 2026 toward scientific data and research for the White House-led Genesis Mission, expanding federal use of artificial intelligence in mineral, energy, water and biological analysis.
The department also reported that approximately $405 million continues to support related scientific research and data collection across its bureaus.
Interior’s role centers on supplying federal datasets used to train, validate and deploy artificial intelligence models. The work involves the U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management.
The initiative draws on monitoring networks, resource assessments and research covering water supplies, critical minerals, ecosystems and underground energy resources.
Interior identified four National Science and Technology Challenges where its agencies will contribute data and technical expertise.
The department plans to use geologic mapping, mineral assessments and AI-assisted analysis to support domestic critical-mineral development.
Geologic, geophysical and seismic data will be used to model underground energy resources, while hydrologic information, drought forecasts and reservoir research will support water management and energy-system planning.
Interior will also provide genetic, ecological and biodiversity data for biological research, ecosystem analysis and biotechnology development.
“From mapping critical mineral resources and improving water forecasting to advancing AI-enabled geologic research and biological science, our scientists and data systems are helping ensure the United States has the knowledge, resources and infrastructure needed” to support energy and technology development, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated.
The Genesis Mission is a government-wide initiative overseen by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. It is intended to combine federal data, computing capacity and artificial intelligence tools to accelerate research across scientific and engineering fields.
Federal, industry and academic officials were scheduled to discuss the initiative at the Genesis Mission Summit on July 22 in Washington, D.C.
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