More than 100 researchers met at the Max-Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) in Garching for the second E-TASC General Meeting to review recent progress and define priorities for EUROfusion digital fusion research landscape.
The meeting highlighted significant advances in predictive simulation, high-performance computing, and software standardisation. Strong emphasis was placed on improving Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification (VVUQ) to ensure that models are not only scientifically advanced but also reliable and relevant for reactor design. Participants underlined the need for a growing integration of physics and engineering simulations within the evolving Digital Twin Environment – a flexible, multi-fidelity framework integrating physics and engineering software, supported by advanced visualization and suitable for data-driven analysis.
Progress in establishing EUROfusion Standard Software and implementing FAIR data principles marks an important step toward a more reproducible and sustainable research ecosystem. Structured data management practices based on the IMAS standard and long-term data storage solutions are expected to strengthen cross-machine comparisons, enable data-driven fusion science, and prepare the ground for large-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications.
AI emerged as a transformative opportunity. From surrogate modelling and research software workflow automation to AI-assisted code development and data integration, the fusion community is actively exploring how new AI-based tools can accelerate simulation cycles and enhance predictive capabilities.
Looking ahead to the 10th European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, E-TASC will focus on deeper integration between theory, simulation, and engineering, stronger coordination across projects, systematic implementation of VVUQ, and expanded AI integration. The meeting confirmed that Europe’s fusion modelling community is moving toward a more coordinated, impact-driven, and digitally enabled research framework — a key prerequisite for supporting the ITER research plan and advancing the development of future fusion power plants.