Cantwell Statement on PNNL’s New AI-Powered Biotechnology Platform for Biological Data Production

Cantwell Statement on PNNL's New AI-Powered Biotechnology Platform for Biological Data Production

Today, DOE announced a new biotechnology device powered by AI that will help PNNL scientists make faster advancements in medicine, materials manufacturing, and biofuel development; Cantwell is a longtime champion of innovation at PNNL

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Department of Energy unveiled a prototype device at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) that will use artificial intelligence to produce huge quantities of biological data, enabling scientists at the Central WA lab to work more efficiently toward breakthroughs in medicine, materials manufacturing, and biofuel development.

The prototype device will eventually be incorporated into PNNL's broader biotechnology facility, which is scheduled to be commissioned in 2029.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), who serves as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement:

"Washington's life sciences sector already supports more than 100,000 jobs, shaping the next generation of science and technology. Now PNNL will be leading the nation in developing an AI biotech platform that will accelerate breakthroughs in cleaner fuels, sustainable materials, and new medicines, positioning Washington at the center of some of the most critical industries of the future," Sen. Cantwell said.

In July 2025, Sen. Cantwell - who also serves as a senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources - questioned Peter Huntsman, CEO of chemical manufacturing company Huntsman Corporation, about the role AI can play in speeding science and technology advancements during an ENR hearing.

"Won't we be able to create some efficiencies by using AI?" Sen. Cantwell asked.

"We went to one of our national labs and we were seeing some testing that was done that might have been done in the past by individuals - very repetitive, formulaic process, very time consuming. Probably would have taken maybe years, but certainly months. But it was AI and automated, and they just ran 24/7, and so they're going to get that chemical analysis done in a few months instead. That's what AI is helping us to deliver."

Video of Sen. Cantwell's exchange with Huntsman is HERE.

Sen. Cantwell has consistently advocated for strong federal support of R&D at PNNL. In August 2024, Sen. Cantwell visited PNNL to celebrate the dedication of a new Grid Storage Launchpad. The launchpad was aimed at accelerating the R&D pipeline of grid-scale energy storage technologies and identifying solutions to make America's power grid more resilient and secure while boosting the deployment of clean energy.

Video of Sen. Cantwell speaking at that Aug. 13, 2024 dedication ceremony is available HERE, audio HERE, photos HERE, and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell's remarks is available HERE.

In May 2024, Sen. Cantwell introduced the NSF AI Education Act, which aims to boost AI education opportunities with the National Science Foundation, expand student scholarships and fellowships for professional development, create AI guidance for K-12 teachers, and support new AI education hubs at community colleges.

In April 2024, Sen. Cantwell introduced the Future of AI Innovation Act, which lays the foundation to maintain U.S. leadership in the global race to develop AI and other emerging technologies, and builds on her original legislation that created the National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC).

In February 2024, Sen. Cantwell held a roundtable with then-U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and tech and science leaders to discuss how the government and private sector can partner to safely drive AI Innovation. Sen. Cantwell was a lead architect and spearheaded the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, which also directs the Department of Energy and NSF to identify and invest in ten key technology focus areas, including AI.

In summer of 2023, Sen. Cantwell hosted an AI Summit in Seattle where two NAIAC members participated on the panel about the future of AI. Her summit also showcased AI ventures from nearly a dozen regional small businesses and university programs that demonstrated how AI is currently being used to better their industries.