The agency called the experiment, which was conducted in collaboration with two national labs, two vendors and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a “milestone test case.”

Budget constraints and compliance considerations have presented hurdles for the agency as it aims to onboard technologists, a DOE IT leader said during a Thursday event.

During an event Thursday, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s CIO said he wants to spend money as efficiently as possible.

National Labs, other federal agencies, academic institutions and private-sector companies can submit collaborative applications to address the challenges identified by DOE.

Its disclosure of Grok use follows Treasury’s statement that the department was testing the controversial chatbot.

The Energy Department’s Oak Ridge National Lab launched an institute to optimize data centers, and the Pacific Northwest National Lab issued an RFI to inform future buildouts.

The initiative’s director said teams are on track to meet forthcoming deadlines and a minimum viable product will be unveiled in 2026.

A White House official said the challenges are a "direct call to action” to private-sector partners, researchers and other innovators.

The agency is continuing to deepen its collaboration with industry as it works to advance technical priorities amid a tight schedule and forthcoming deadlines.

The technology was “used in place of a large team that would be required for coding and development of emergency services facilitation,” according to DOE’s AI inventory.