AI in Los Alamos: Innovation Boom or a New Manhattan Moment?
Once dismissed as a passing trend, artificial intelligence has become a driving force at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Pat Fitch, deputy director of science, technology and engineering, once believed AI was overhyped in the 1990s. Today, he spends a significant portion of his time navigating its rapid evolution. Over the past two years, Los Alamos has poured millions into AI development, installing the powerful Venado supercomputer and launching a formal initiative aimed at harnessing its potential.
The urgency surrounding AI at the lab echoes historical precedent. During a visit to J. Robert Oppenheimer’s home, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright called AI a “second Manhattan Project.” The comparison is weighty, especially in New Mexico, where the legacy of the original Manhattan Project still lingers—both in scientific triumph and environmental fallout.
Artificial intelligence is considered a “dual-use” technology—offering breakthrough applications in fields like materials science, seismology, and drug development, while simultaneously posing threats in terms of national security, privacy, and ethical misuse. With major powers racing to lead in AI innovation, the stakes are high. Fitch notes that the U.S. maintains only a narrow lead, and scaling up is critical.
Economic development officials see promise in AI’s potential to revitalize rural communities. Rob Black, New Mexico’s economic development secretary, points to the success of Meta’s data center in Los Lunas as a model. He also highlights opportunities to develop Spanish-language AI tools, which could diversify and expand the industry. The launch of New Mexico State University’s AI bachelor’s degree program is a step toward building the needed workforce.
For the full story, read Alaina Mencinger’s original article in The Santa Fe New Mexican: Eighty years after bomb, is AI a new arms race in Los Alamos?
Top image: The Venado supercomputer after installation at Los Alamos National Laboratory in April 2024. The lab has started carving out millions of dollars for AI initiatives in recent years.