The tech-broification of American science has officially begun
The Trump administration has launched the 'Genesis Mission,' a $5 billion initiative prioritizing AI, robotics, and nuclear energy in scientific research. Critics argue this approach politicizes science and treats public research like a Silicon Valley startup, potentially undermining long-standing scientific institutions.
Why it matters
This represents a significant shift in federal science policy, moving away from traditional academic research toward a tech-centric, politically-driven model.
The Trump administration unveiled the first “Genesis Mission” grants on Thursday, directing $5 billion toward hundreds of AI-driven science projects in an effort the White House has described as “comparable in urgency and ambition to the Manhattan Project.” At roughly the same time, Trump’s science adviser Michael Kratsios was on Capitol Hill selling lawmakers on an equally grandiose promise: “A New Golden Age” of American science, one that would prioritize artificial intelligence, robotics, and nuclear energy and downplay life sciences.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in