Challenges and opportunities for AI to help deliver fusion energy
It addresses the problem of effectively integrating AI into fusion energy development for researchers and policymakers, but it is incremental as it summarizes existing discussions without new results.
This paper discusses the potential and challenges of applying AI tools in fusion energy research, emphasizing the need for responsible methodologies and collaboration between domain experts and AI developers to advance R&D.
There is great potential for the application of AI tools in fusion research, and substantial worldwide benefit if fusion power is realised. However, using AI comes with its own challenges, many of which can be mitigated if responsible and robust methodologies are built into existing approaches. To do that requires close, long-term collaborations between fusion domain experts and AI developers and awareness of the fact that not all problems in fusion research are best tackled with AI tools. In April 2025, experts from academia, industry, UKAEA and STFC discussed how AI can be used to advance R&D in fusion energy at the first edition of The Economist FusionFest event. This Perspective is an expanded and updated summary of the round table discussion, providing more context and examples.