ARPA-E Unveils Funding Program for AI, Machine Learning Projects

The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy plans to award up to $20M for innovation projects that could help accelerate the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence tools into energy technology and product design processes.

ARPA-E will select up to six participants for the Design Intelligence for Formidable Energy Reduction Engendering Numerous Totally Impactful Advanced Technology Enhancements program, the Department of Energy said Friday.

“Artificial intelligence and machine learning has the potential to literally transform every aspect of the world as we know it, and accelerating this technology is crucial to strengthening our country’s economic and national security,” said Energy Secretary Rick Perry. 

Perry added AI is already being utilized across all sectors to support cybersecurity, national security, energy efficiency, grid security and health care platforms. 

Proposals for DIFFERNTIATE should identify a challenge problem, potential solution, data acquisition strategy, development risks and plans to bring a final tool or software into the marketplace.

The department said it will allocate $5M of the total program funds for the small business community.