NSF unveils 4 major AI initiatives to boost U.S. research leadership

The National Science Foundation has announced a series of major AI initiatives that align with the White House‘s AI Action Plan, signaling a coordinated federal push to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. The initiatives span foundational AI research, infrastructure development, and real-world testing capabilities, positioning NSF as a key player in America’s AI competitiveness strategy.

What you should know: NSF Chief of Staff Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF Director, outlined four major initiatives the foundation will unveil in the coming weeks.

• New NSF AI Research Institutes will accelerate breakthroughs in foundational AI and applications across health, education, chemistry, and materials science.
• A partnership will create large language model infrastructure to develop cutting-edge capabilities for AI-driven scientific research.
• AI Testbeds will provide transparent and rigorous evaluation of real-world AI systems.
• The next phase of the National AI Research Resource will expand access to computational resources, data, software, and training materials.

The big picture: These NSF initiatives represent a significant federal investment in AI research infrastructure, designed to complement the White House’s broader AI Action Plan by removing barriers to American innovation.

Why this matters: The coordinated approach between the White House and NSF demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to competing globally in AI while ensuring the technology’s benefits create jobs across America.

What they’re saying: “The White House’s AI Action Plan sends a clear message: the United States is all-in on winning the future of artificial intelligence,” Stone said in his statement.

• “These investments will help secure U.S. leadership in AI while ensuring the benefits of this powerful technology reach across America and create more jobs.”
• “NSF stands ready to work alongside our partners in government, private industry and philanthropy to keep American innovation on the frontier where it belongs.”