The tech-broification of American science has officially begun

The Trump administration is directing billions of dollars toward AI-driven science projects while simultaneously reshaping how federal research funding works, shifting support away from universities toward individual scientists and private companies. The administration's science adviser, who has a background in tech policy and finance rather than scientific research, has proposed a funding model based on venture capital principles that emphasizes measurable results and speed over the long-term, uncertain work that has historically produced major discoveries. Scientists interviewed for this article argue the approach fundamentally misunderstands how science operates, treating it like a startup business rather than a public good, and warn it could dismantle the research institutions and norms that made the United States a scientific superpower. The vision prioritizes artificial intelligence, robotics, and nuclear energy while deprioritizing life sciences, and gives political appointees unprecedented power to block grants based on ideology.