Trump Administration Cuts Funding for AI Weather Institute
The Trump administration has decided to halt funding for a crucial $20 million artificial intelligence (AI) institute that focuses on advancing weather forecasting technology. This decision threatens to disrupt the training pipeline for scientists and could significantly impact the nation’s ability to effectively assess the consequences of hurricanes and other severe weather events.
Amy McGovern, the director of the AI Institute for Research on Trustworthy AI in Weather, Climate, and Coastal Oceanography (AI2ES), revealed that the National Science Foundation (NSF) notified the institute last month that it would not renew its five-year grant. Launched in 2020, AI2ES is a collaboration among multiple universities aimed at integrating AI into weather forecasting and evaluating its reliability. McGovern, who also serves as a professor in meteorology and computer science at the University of Oklahoma, stated, “It destroys it. There’s no other good way to say it,” referring to the potential closure of the institute if alternative funding cannot be secured.
The move to discontinue funding for AI2ES coincides with the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to prioritize AI, as evidenced by increased investment in AI technologies and the rapid expansion of data centers. The administration’s AI strategy emphasizes the development of evaluation programs for AI systems and the establishment of job training programs, both of which align with the objectives of AI2ES.
Alan Gerard, a former director at the National Severe Storms Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), expressed concern about the cuts, stating, “It’s dissonant,” given the administration’s stated goals for AI advancement. As of now, the White House has not responded to requests for comments regarding this funding decision.
The NSF has recognized the significant contributions of AI institutes like AI2ES, which has received approximately $20 million in funding over the past five years. Michael England, an NSF spokesman, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to advancing AI research through its National AI Research Institutes program. He indicated that “additional award actions remain possible, subject to appropriations,” suggesting that future funding opportunities could still arise.
The proposed budget for the NSF includes a staggering 55% reduction, although Congress has yet to finalize a budget. In contrast to the Trump administration’s suggestions for budget cuts, both the Senate and House appropriations committees have proposed more moderate reductions for scientific agencies like the NSF.
McGovern had anticipated that the institute would continue to receive support due to its alignment with presidential priorities regarding AI. She noted that AI2ES has played a vital role in funding approximately 70 positions annually across various universities. The institute has also successfully developed AI tools currently utilized by governmental agencies. For example, it created a predictive tool to safeguard sea turtles near the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas, from potential ship strikes during hazardous weather conditions.
In addition, AI2ES has developed an application that enables meteorologists to visualize the internal structure of hurricanes when polar-orbiting satellites are unavailable. This technology uses data from geostationary satellites, which do not penetrate clouds, to simulate hurricane dynamics effectively. Furthermore, the institute is researching how forecasters can better assess the trustworthiness of AI tools developed by private companies, including those from major tech firms like Google.
“If the center is shuttered,” Gerard warned, “it would not harm current meteorological forecasts, but could stymie innovation and put the country at a disadvantage.” He emphasized the importance of staying competitive in the global arena, noting that countries like China are making substantial investments in AI-related meteorological research. He cautioned that such funding cuts could hinder the United States’ progress in a promising field that has the potential to enhance weather forecasting capabilities significantly.
