Democratic Sen. John Fetterman teamed up with Republican Sen. Ted Budd to propose the National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act. The bill would "create a national network of six remotely accessible programmable cloud laboratories (PCLs) for academic research, led by the National Science Foundation."
Cloud labs allow scientists to conduct experiments from anywhere in the world, 24/7, through a computer program — like a remote-controlled lab. Machinery and robots run the procedures autonomously through the cloud, hence "cloud lab."
Such labs allow researchers to conduct experiments with no human in the room. Instead, they log in to the laboratory remotely and access a program that controls tools and instruments in the lab itself.
"Knitting" those labs into a network — sharing data and resources — could help "researchers use their time and financial resources more effectively through automation and integration of large data sets," the announcement Monday said.
"We can help cut barriers researchers face and supercharge America's innovation engine with a national network of PCLs," Mr. Fetterman said in the statement. "This has never been built before, and I'm proud to partner with Senator Budd to make this a reality."
Carnegie Mellon University launched the world's first university cloud lab in 2024. Sen. Fetterman's and Sen. Budd's proposed legislation "builds on this emerging model and supports the development of similar capabilities at a national scale," the senators said.
Cloud labs provide an unprecedented access to science that some say could be revolutionary.
"A national network of programmable cloud labs will dramatically improve scientific quality by strengthening reproducibility, will democratize access to sophisticated lab tools by researchers across the country and will help scientists rapidly identify promising directions and discard unproductive paths," said Martial Hebert, dean and CMU professor of robotics in the School of Computer Science.
"The implications for medical research, manufacturing and job creation in the U.S. are enormous."
The CMU Cloud Lab is at 6555 Penn Ave., adjacent to Bakery Square. That stretch of town is referred to as "AI Avenue," an initiative of the AI Strike Team to advance the Steel City as an AI hub.
"Pittsburgh's AI Avenue has become a place where people come to learn by doing," said Joanna Doven, CEO of the AI Strike Team. "Carnegie Mellon's cloud lab isn't theoretical; it's working, delivering results, and deeply connected to industry and startups."
Duolingo, Google, Hellbender and the CMU Cloud Lab anchor the one-mile stretch of AI Avenue. Bakery Square, a hub for AI companies, is also procuring secure facilities and AI office spaces, different assets of the AI ecosystem.
"This bi-partisan legislation recognizes what Pittsburgh is already proving: that integrated, AI-enabled labs anchored in strong regional ecosystems can dramatically accelerate discovery, lower barriers to entry, and serve as a national model for modern research infrastructure," Ms. Doven said.
Whether the CMU Cloud Lab would be part of the network was not specified as of Monday.
The proposed network can include up to six "nodes." According to Monday's announcement, nodes of the PCL network will be chosen through "a competitive selection process" with the following considerations:
* The level of existing laboratory infrastructure with automated capabilities and data integration
* Capacity to support cloud-enabled workflows for multiple users
* Ability to sustain long-term operations without continuous federal funding
* Ability to collaborate with partners in academia, industry, or federal research entities
* Protocols for research security, cybersecurity, and responsible access
* Demonstration of user interest and research needs."
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