Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Division W, Title V, Section 502 ("Seedling investment in next-generation microelectronics in support of artificial intelligence")

Summary

Lists the findings of Congress which detail importance of the development of AI technology Instructs the Director of National Intelligence to award contracts or grants to encourage microelectronics research Specifies that the funds awarded be used towards advanced engineering and applied research to enable the advancement of AI and machine learning, research to overcome existing challenges with engineering and applied research of microelectronics, and long-term advancements in computing technology Limits the amount able to be awarded to no more than $15,000,000

Finds developing advanced microelectronics crucial for U.S. national security and AI leadership.

SEC. 502. SEEDLING INVESTMENT IN NEXT-GENERATION MICROELECTRONICS IN SUPPORT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that-- (1) developing faster, more energy efficient, and more resilient computing is important to the future of the national security of the United States and the leadership by the United States in artificial intelligence; and (2) multidisciplinary teams co-designing microelectronics for artificial intelligence will lead to unprecedented capabilities that will help ensure that the United States maintains its superiority in this worldwide competition for economic and national security.

Encourages microelectronics research through contracts, grants, or alternative transactions by the Director of National Intelligence.

(b) Awards for Research and Development.--The Director of National Intelligence, acting through the Director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity, shall award contracts or grants, or enter into transactions other than contracts, to encourage microelectronics research.

Awards contracts for AI research, microelectronics advancement, and computing technologies, capping total at $15,000,000.

(c) Use of Funds.--The Director shall award contracts or grants to, or enter into transactions other than contracts with, entities under subsection (b) to carry out any of the following: (1) Advanced engineering and applied research into novel computing models, materials, devices, architectures, or algorithms to enable the advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning. (2) Research efforts to-- (A) overcome challenges with engineering and applied research of microelectronics, including with respect to the physical limits on transistors, electrical interconnects, and memory elements; or(B) promote long-term advancements in computing technologies, including by fostering a unified and multidisciplinary approach encompassing research and development into algorithm design, computing architectures, microelectronic devices and circuits, and the chemistry and physics of new materials. (3) Any other activity the Director determines would promote the development of microelectronics research.

(d) Award Amounts.--In awarding contracts or grants, or entering into transactions other than contracts, under subsection (b), the Director may award not more than a total of $15,000,000.