How an Algorithm Inspired This Issue
By Lucia Torrado
Sometimes inspiration strikes in the most unexpected ways. Last year, while scrolling through my phone, a news article about Round Top Mountain -a major rare earth element deposit- caught my attention. What intrigued me wasn’t only the deposit itself -in fact, I was so impressed that I wrote an article about it featured in this issue-, but that it had been suggested to me by an AI-powered algorithm. It was a moment of perfect symmetry: rare earth elements are critical to the technology that powers AI, and here I was, seeing a story about them thanks to AI.
Even though I don’t use AI extensively myself, I couldn’t resist using an AI-generated image of Round Top Mountain for the cover, depicted as the terrain being prepared for heap leaching. After several iterations to get it just right, I believe this may be the first AI-generated cover in the history of the Bulletin…and a playful nod to how technology is shaping our profession.
That thread led naturally into this issue of the Bulletin, which features a timely paper from Bill Demis examining the “AI bubble”: not a critique of AI itself, but a reality check on the speculative capital flows driving the current frenzy. Meanwhile, AI is also increasingly becoming a practical tool for geoscience (emphasis on the word tool, by the way). In this issue, GeoPicks showcases AI applications that help geologists identify rocks, formations, and other features directly from images. Even my interview with Juan Pablo Vargas touches briefly on the transformative potential of data analysis and AI.
Interestingly, 2014 marked a pivotal year for rare earth elements in the Bulletin. That year, a technical paper was published outlining the rare earth potential of Round Top Mountain. In the very same year, then-HGS Editor Michael Forlenza devoted his Editor’s Letter to “Strategic Geology: The Mystery and Allure of Rare Earth Elements.” His discussion focused on the nature of rare earth elements, and implications, but artificial intelligence was not yet part of the strategic minerals’ vocabulary. Over a decade later, rare earth elements underpin the hardware backbone of AI -data centers, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, robotics, and autonomous systems. The geology has not changed. The context has.
I hope this issue inspires you to explore new tools, ask new questions, and think critically about how technology, geology, and investment connect in today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape. If you come across an interesting story while scrolling, have a random geology thought, or stumble on something curious, I’d love to hear from you!
In this Issue of the Bulletin
● AI Boom: Bubble or Build-Out?
This paper by Bill DeMis examines the current surge in AI investment, arguing that the boom is a speculative bubble. While capital inflows may slow and speculators may face losses, the broader AI development and deployment will continue. The analysis offers a reality check for energy and data center planning, tempering overly aggressive power-demand projections.
● Round Top Mountain: the largest HREE deposit in the U.S.
It’s not every day that you stumble upon a jaw-dropping discovery in the rugged West Texas desert, but that’s exactly what’s happening at Round Top Mountain. What was once simply a lone rhyolite peak in Hudspeth County, near Sierra Blanca, has recently captured global attention as possibly the largest heavy rare earth element (HREE) deposit in the U.S., and perhaps even the world. That’s a bold claim… but one that seems well-deserved after the cascade of recent reports.
● HGS at the Science & Engineering Fair of Houston 2026
HGS volunteers helped recognize the next generation of STEM talent at SEFH, judging projects across Junior and Senior Divisions and awarding internships. Highlights include first-place Junior Division winner Victoria Kerr and the impressive range of innovative student research projects.
● From Research to Real-World Exploration: Juan Pablo Vargas’ Story
Discover Juan Pablo’s journey into geoscience, from early research experiences to his current work exploring the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. His insights offer a fascinating look at career paths in geology and petroleum systems, and the challenges and rewards of offshore exploration.
● GeoPicks: AI Tools Transforming Geoscience
This month’s GeoPicks highlights emerging AI applications for geologists, including geology-focused GPTs, GeoMap Agent, and mobile apps that identify rocks, formations, and other geologic features from photos. These tools showcase how AI can enhance fieldwork, streamline data interpretation, and support geoscience research in innovative ways.
● HGS Welcomes HGS GeoModelers
The new HGS GeoModelers group joins the Society, creating a space for professionals in subsurface modeling, CCS, and digital geoscience. The group aims to host technical sessions, networking opportunities, and ongoing dialogue. Members are invited to connect, contribute, and attend the group’s inaugural event as it begins building this exciting new community.