💡AI System Controls Fusion Plasma in Real-Time

AI just took control of fusion experiments

PACMAN, an AI system, can control fusion plasma in real-time, predicting and preventing dangerous instabilities. Researchers tested it on the DIII-D National Fusion Facility tokamak, where it successfully predicted and controlled plasma behavior. This system could significantly enhance safety and efficiency in fusion research. PACMAN combines multiple machine learning models in a control loop, operating faster than human operators. It was tested in five separate experiments, demonstrating its ability to predict and control plasma instabilities, including a tearing mode that was stopped before it occurred.