The "Transformational Artificial intelligence to Modernize the Economy against Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act" seeks to significantly enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for weather forecasting. Its primary purpose is to improve the accuracy and timeliness of forecasts for weather, water, and space weather, alongside effective dissemination of critical information. The legislation also aims to strengthen analytical capacity to mitigate harm from weather, water, wildfires, and space weather hazards through mandated AI exploration and use by federal agencies.

To achieve these goals, the bill requires the Under Secretary, in consultation with various federal agencies and experts, to develop and curate comprehensive weather forecasting training datasets within four years, leveraging existing Earth system reanalysis data. NOAA is authorized to develop and test global, regional, and local AI weather models. This initiative will proceed while also continuing to support traditional numerical weather models and observational data collection.

The legislation mandates the exploration of advanced AI applications to improve forecasts, including enhancing data assimilation, accounting for coupled Earth system processes, and improving readiness for wildfires. AI will also be used to generate ensemble forecasts for better uncertainty assessment and to enhance the dissemination of information regarding weather and wildfire risks. This aims to improve public understanding and preparedness for environmental hazards.

The Under Secretary is directed to provide technical assistance, data access, and best practices to forecasters, scientists, and emergency managers for utilizing AI and numerical models. This includes developing a common framework for assessing both types of models, often in collaboration with other federal agencies, academia, and the private sector. The bill emphasizes strengthening public-private partnerships and exploring co-investment strategies for transformative innovation in environmental forecasting.

A key provision requires NOAA to develop a plan to make its operational and experimental AI weather models and associated data publicly available at no cost, with safeguards for national security and intellectual property. Furthermore, the bill mandates a report to Congress within one year on the risks posed by foreign countries of concern accessing U.S. weather data, including recommendations for action. Appropriations are authorized for fiscal year 2026 at $105,000,000, and for fiscal years 2027 through 2030 at $25,000,000 annually.