U.S. Energy Department and AMD Strike $1B Deal to Build Next-Gen AI Supercomputers

The U.S. Energy Department and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) have inked a $1 billion agreement to develop cutting-edge AI supercomputers aimed at tackling the nation's most complex scientific challenges. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and AMD CEO Lisa Su confirmed the collaboration, emphasizing its potential to accelerate breakthroughs in nuclear power, fusion energy, and pharmaceutical research.

The first system, dubbed Lux, is set to launch within six months. Built around AMD's MI355X AI chips and supported by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Lux promises triple the AI capacity of current-generation supercomputers. "This is the speed and agility we need for U.S. AI leadership," Su remarked, noting its unprecedented deployment timeline.

Oak Ridge Director Stephen Streiffer highlighted Lux's role in advancing fusion energy research—simulating the sun's power-generating reactions—while Wright described the system as a catalyst for "supercharged" innovation across critical scientific domains.