FY2026 NDAA, Section 3117 ("Appropriate scoping of artificial intelligence research within the National Nuclear Security Administration")

Summary

Amends the Atomic Energy Defense Act to specify that funds appropriated for AI research and development by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) can only support the Administration's nuclear security missions.

States that this funding limitation does not prohibit the establishment of national security AI research programs within other areas of the Department of Energy or other federal agencies.

Allows the use of NNSA resources for an enduring national security AI program by external entities, provided support is given on a full cost recovery basis and does not interfere with the nuclear security missions of involved facilities.

Limits AI research funding within the National Nuclear Security Administration to supporting nuclear security missions.

SEC. 3117. APPROPRIATE SCOPING OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH WITHIN THE NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. (a) In General.--Subtitle B of title XLVIII of the Atomic Energy Defense Act (50 U.S.C. 2791 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following section: ``SEC. 4816. APPROPRIATE SCOPING OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION. ``(a) In General.--Funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026, or any subsequent fiscal year, for the Administration for the purposes of conducting research and development of artificial intelligence technologies, executing a program to develop or manage the application of such technologies, or developing, acquiring, or sustaining any associated computing hardware or supporting infrastructure may only be used to support the nuclear security missions of the Administration.

Allows establishment of an enduring AI research program in agencies beyond the Department of Energy Administration.

``(b) Rule of Construction.--The limitation described in subsection (a) may not be interpreted-- ``(1) to prohibit the establishment of an enduring national security artificial intelligence research and development program in any component of the Department of Energy other than the Administration or in any other Federal agency; or ``(2) to impede the use of resources of the Administration, including resources provided by a national security laboratory or a nuclear weapons production facility site, to support the execution of an enduring national security artificial intelligence research and development program or activity, if such support is provided-- ``(A) on a full cost recovery basis, including any associated infrastructure or utility costs, to an entity that is not a component of the Department of Energy; and ``(B) in a manner that does not interfere with the nuclear security mission of such laboratory or facility.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Atomic Energy Defense Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 4815 the following new item: ``Sec. 4816. Appropriate scoping of artificial intelligence research within the Administration.''.