Offbeat AI Watch

Fusion Energy Gets AI Shield in Milliseconds

Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory unveiled HEAT-ML, a deep-learning model that maps fusion plasma heat distribution in milliseconds—replacing a 30-minute simulation cycle and accelerating next-generation reactor design.

HEAT-ML uses a deep neural network trained on approximately 1,000 SPARC simulations to find "magnetic shadows"—safe havens protected from intense plasma heat that are crucial for keeping reactors running safely.