A new wave of geothermal exploration is gaining traction in the U.S. as startups deploy artificial intelligence to locate hot rock resources more precisely and cut drilling risk. Zanskar, a geothermal developer, says AI models have helped the company identify dozens of overlooked sites and improve drilling success rates, contending it has made more discoveries in three years than the industry found in the prior three decades. The technology aims to lower costs tied to marginal or unproductive wells—long a drag on project economics—while helping simulate subsurface systems to steer deeper, more targeted drilling. Permitting remains a bottleneck: the best resources sit largely on federally managed land in the West, where approvals can take three to seven years, though Interior has moved to accelerate reviews under the administration’s energy agenda. Utilities see AI aiding regulators and operators as well. Exelon CEO Calvin Butler said adopting AI could streamline processes and bolster efficiency, even as rising power demand from data centers challenges the grid. Safety and environmental concerns persist, but industry veterans liken geothermal’s moment to early oil and gas—vast potential with the market now signaling stronger demand.
AI-driven mapping is unlocking untapped geothermal resources
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