Title 50War and National DefenseRelease 119-73

§3334s Programs for next-generation microelectronics in support of artificial intelligence

Title 50 › Chapter CHAPTER 45— - MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY AUTHORITIES › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES › § 3334s

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Director of National Intelligence, working through IARPA, must create or run a program to speed up microelectronics research if money is provided. The work must focus on improving computing for artificial intelligence and machine learning. That includes new computing models, materials, devices, architectures, and algorithms; solving limits on transistors, interconnects, and memory; and long-term advances like next‑generation algorithms and compute, AI tools for design, photonics-based processors (including electrophotonics), new material science, optical communications (including electrophotonics), and safety and controls for generative AI. The Director can also add other helpful activities, including work on optical communications or quantum technologies. The Director must consider the national strategy in section 4656 of title 15, consult the Secretary of Commerce, and work with other federal agencies and the programs in subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) of section 4656, plus universities and private industry. Funding can come from the National Intelligence Program budget.

Full Legal Text

Title 50, §3334s

War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Director of National Intelligence, acting through the Director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity, shall establish or otherwise oversee a program to advance microelectronics research.
(b)The Director of National Intelligence shall ensure that the research carried out under the program established under subsection (a) is focused on the following:
(1)Advanced engineering and applied research into next-generation computing models, materials, devices, architectures, and algorithms to enable the advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
(2)Efforts to—
(A)overcome challenges with engineering and applied research of microelectronics, including with respect to the physical limits on transistors, electrical interconnects, and memory elements; 11 So in original. Probably should be followed by “and”.
(B)promote long-term advancements in computing technologies, including by fostering a unified and multidisciplinary approach encompassing research and development into—
(i)next-generation algorithm design;
(ii)next-generation compute capability;
(iii)generative and adaptive artificial intelligence for design applications;
(iv)photonics-based microprocessors, including electrophotonics;
(v)the chemistry and physics of new materials;
(vi)optical communication networks, including electrophotonics; and
(vii)safety and controls for generative artificial intelligence applications for the intelligence community.
(3)Any other activity the Director determines would promote the development of microelectronics research for future technologies, including optical communications or quantum technologies.
(c)In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Director of National Intelligence shall—
(1)consider the national strategy developed pursuant to subsection (a)(3)(A)(i) of section 4656 of title 15;
(2)consult with the Secretary of Commerce; and
(3)actively collaborate with relevant Government agencies and programs, including the programs established under subsection 22 So in original. Probably should be “subsections”. (c), (d), (e), and (f) of such section 4656 of title 15, academic institutions, and private industry to leverage expertise and resources in conducting research.
(d)Amounts authorized to be appropriated for the National Intelligence Program of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence may be made available to carry out the program established under subsection (a).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2025—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 119–60 struck out subsec. (e) which related to briefing requirements of the Director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions For definitions of “intelligence community” and “congressional intelligence committees” as used in this section, see section 7002 of Pub. L. 118–31, set out as a note under section 3003 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

50 U.S.C. § 3334s

Title 50War and National Defense

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73