The US has a new roadmap for fusion energy, without the funds to back it up

Here is a 187-word summary of the key points from the article: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a new roadmap outlining its strategy to achieve commercial-scale fusion energy by the mid-2030s. The plan aims to support research and development efforts, as well as public-private partnerships, to build the first generation of fusion power plants. It highlights the potential for AI to drive breakthroughs and address the growing energy demands of data centers. However, the roadmap lacks specifics on how to accomplish this ambitious timeline, which still relies on achieving major scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. Moreover, the DOE admits it does not currently have the necessary funding to back up the plan. Fusion technology faces significant technical hurdles, as it requires tremendous heat and pressure to fuse atoms together in a controlled way, unlike the uncontrolled process of a hydrogen bomb. While private investments in fusion startups have increased, the DOE's roadmap emphasizes the need for public-private collaboration to build critical infrastructure and develop a skilled workforce. The plan also highlights the potential role of AI in advancing fusion research, but the path to commercial viability remains uncertain and potentially decades away.