Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies

The Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET) leverages capabilities and expertise across the Department of Energy and its 17 National Laboratories to sustain and extend U.S. leadership in technology in support of DOE’s energy, science, and security mission. The Office amplifies DOE’s expertise in emerging technologies; coordinates DOE equities across diverse program portfolios, including the national labs, to support and inform policymaking; and develops partnerships with industry and academia to advance breakthroughs and accelerate integration of technologies into the U.S. commercial sector.

U.S. leadership in critical and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, quantum, and microelectronics is key to enabling economic prosperity and our national security. These technologies will be a major source of new discoveries and breakthroughs, strengthen our ability to counter national security threats, and increase access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy.

Areas of Focus

Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is a powerful technology that has the potential to transform science, energy, and national security. CET is coordinating across the Department to foster responsible and trustworthy development of AI and its integration with other critical and emerging technologies to unleash economic growth, enhance energy security and resilience, and bolster national security. CET is also leading the development of AI governance, helping ensure the safe, secure, and trustworthy deployment of AI across DOE and its 17 national laboratories and affiliated entities, and supporting the development of standards to support broader deployment of AI.

Artificial Intelligence at DOE
Biotechnology & Biomanufacturing
Biotechnology and biomanufacturing – the development of products and tools using biological processes – have produced advanced medical diagnostic techniques, therapeutics, and vaccines, and these cross-cutting technologies are also being applied to enhancing energy security, advancing agriculture and food security, mitigating the effects of climate change, and bolstering supply chain resiliency, all while revitalizing regional economies. DOE and its national laboratories are leading the way on innovations that drive the bioeconomy and on advancing biosecurity.

Biotechnology & Biomanufacturing at DOE
Quantum Science
Quantum technologies have been at the forefront of modern innovation, from semiconductors to lasers to GPS, and rapid developments in quantum information science promise to continue that trend. Quantum computing and communications promise to open up new fields of information science and technology while new quantum sensors may lead to advances in basic science, biotechnology, environmental measurement, and defense. DOE and its national labs are at the forefront of research and development in this key area.

Quantum Science at DOE
Semiconductors & Microelectronics
Semiconductors and microelectronics are the heart of all modern technologies, from communications to finance to energy to transportation to entertainment. The CHIPS and Science Act aims to revitalize and advance U.S. leadership in these technologies from basic research to advanced manufacturing, supporting both a growing technical workforce and a strong, innovative ecosystem, and DOE and its national labs play a major role in advancing these goals.

Semiconductors & Microelectronics at DOE