The article discusses how artificial intelligence is transforming the critical minerals mining industry in the United States, particularly as the nation seeks to reduce its dependence on foreign mineral supplies. AI technologies are being deployed to enhance mineral exploration efficiency, improve mining operations, and strengthen domestic supply chains. The Department of Energy is leveraging AI-powered systems to analyze geological data and identify potential mining sites more accurately, while reducing environmental impact. Companies are using machine learning algorithms to process vast amounts of historical mining data, satellite imagery, and geological surveys to pinpoint promising mineral deposits with greater precision. The article highlights how AI is helping to cut exploration costs by up to 50% and significantly reducing the time needed to locate viable deposits. Additionally, AI applications are being used to optimize mining operations, improve safety conditions, and enhance resource extraction efficiency. The technology is particularly crucial for identifying deposits of rare earth elements and other critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies and advanced electronics. The piece emphasizes that AI adoption in mining is becoming increasingly important for national security and economic competitiveness, as the US aims to establish more resilient domestic supply chains for critical minerals by 2025.