Grounded Reasoning and Artificial Intelligence for National Security (GRAINS) Workshop
Overview
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) invite you to participate in the Grounded Reasoning and Artificial Intelligence for National Security (GRAINS) Workshop, taking place Sep. 15–17, 2026, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
This workshop brings together experts from industry, academia, federally funded research laboratories and the U.S. Government to explore how rapidly evolving formal methods can be applied to modern AI-enabled systems. Discussions will focus on strengthening the security and resilience of U.S. critical infrastructure and national security domains.
The workshop aims to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, inspire forward-looking dialogue and catalyze actionable solutions addressing emerging challenges and opportunities at the intersection of AI and formal methods.
Schedule
September 15th and 16th
- Keynote Speakers
- Short Presentations
- Breakout Sessions
September 17th, optional tours
Optional half-day tour of select INL facilities. The tour will conclude no later than 1:00 pm.
- National Reactor Innovation Center Dome
- Hot Fuel Examination Faciality
- Fuel Conditioning Facility
- Experimental Fuels Facility
Workshop Objectives
The GRAINS Workshop is designed to:
- Promote collaboration across technical and policy communities
- Identify practical applications of formal methods in AI systems
- Highlight national security implications of emerging technologies
- Develop actionable strategies for advancing the field
The GRAINS Workshop committee members
- Gregory Sannon, Idaho National Laboratory
- Jennifer Butler, Idaho National Laboratory
- Chris Harrison, Sandia National Laboratory
- Rob Armstrong, Sandia National Laboratory
- Doug Ghormley, Sandia National Laboratory
- Max Taylor, Boise State University
Who Should Attend
This workshop is intended for individuals with a focus on emerging AI technologies.
- Technical subject matter experts (SMEs)
- Policymakers and regulators
- Program managers
- Researchers and standards community members
- Professionals working in AI and national security domains
Key Topics
Topics will focus on advancing practical applications of formal methods, including:
- Usable and scalable formal methods
- Integration of formal methods with AI workflows
- Applications in critical infrastructure and national security
Guiding Questions
Workshop discussions will center on four key questions:
- What are the pragmatic success stories (technical and programmatic)?
- What are the gaps, challenges, and impediments, especially in AI systems?
- What does success look like in 1, 3, 5, and 10 years?
- Who should do what? (Action plans and responsible stakeholders)
Participation & Submission
Attendance is in person only and limited to U.S. citizens.
- To support the workshop’s emphasis on shared learning and exchange of expertise, participants are invited to prepare a one-page white paper addressing one of the Key Topics identified in this call. These contributions will be incorporated into the workshop’s agenda. Please email your white paper to grains@inl.gov by August 3, 2026.
- Additional submission details will be provided after registration.
