US redirects billions to AI research and USDA AI crop initiative

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released the report "Science: A New Golden Age," calling for the most extensive overhaul of the United States' scientific research system in decades. The plan proposes redirecting billions of dollars from university‑based research toward artificial‑intelligence projects, individual scientists and high‑risk, high‑reward endeavors, aiming to keep the nation competitive with China.

The administration announced a $5 billion AI push that will fund AI‑driven work in health, construction and other sectors, leveraging Department of Energy supercomputers and specialized data sets. In parallel, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the Genesis Mission, will launch an Agricultural National Science & Technology Challenge to develop AI tools that can analyze vast germplasm data, speeding discovery of resilient, high‑yield crops. The challenge will bring together universities, industry and research labs, granting participants access to the American Science and Security Platform.

Together, the reforms and the USDA initiative aim to accelerate scientific breakthroughs, boost productivity, and position the United States as a leader in AI‑augmented research.