President Joe Biden’s fiscal year 2025 budget includes significant funding to support the administration’s artificial intelligence (AI) efforts, focusing on research, talent acquisition, and AI technology safety.
The budget requests roughly $3 billion for AI investments, reflecting the priorities outlined in Biden’s October executive order on AI. This funding would be directed toward agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Commerce.
Biden (Credits: CNN)
Research at NSF: The budget includes over $2 billion in funding for NSF’s research and development in AI and other emerging technology areas.
This funding aims to support advanced manufacturing, advanced wireless, biotechnologies, microelectronics, semiconductors, and quantum information science.
Additionally, $30 million is allocated for the National AI Research Resource pilot, which aims to improve access to resources for AI research.
AI cybersecurity at DOE: The budget includes $455 million for DOE to advance AI for science and technology and to enhance its safety, security, and resilience.
This funding would support efforts to build foundation models for energy security, national security, and climate resilience and tools to evaluate AI capabilities in various security domains.
Biden (Credits: Reuters)
AI guardrails at Commerce: The budget seeks $65 million for Commerce to regulate and promote AI, including protecting the public against societal risks. This funding would support NIST’s efforts to establish an AI Safety Institute, as outlined in Biden’s executive order.
AI talent surge: Funding is requested for the U.S. Digital Service, General Services Administration, and Office of Personnel Management to support the National AI Talent Surge across the Federal Government.
This funding would help accelerate AI hiring, authorize direct-hire authority for AI positions, and provide incentives to attract and retain AI talent in the federal government.
Supporting chief AI officers: The budget provides funding for agencies to establish chief AI officers (CAIOs) to promote the use of AI and manage its risks.
Investments for CAIOs would total $70 million, supporting the establishment of AI policy offices at agencies such as the Departments of Treasury and Agriculture and a new AI policy office at the Department of Labor led by its CAIO.
Biden’s budget demonstrates a commitment to advancing AI technology while ensuring its responsible use and addressing potential risks.
