https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qjkqx7/scientists-controlled-lightning-with-lasers-aimed-at-the-sky-in-breakthrough

For the first time in history, scientists have used lasers to harness lightning bolts and guide them into new trajectories, a breakthrough that could lead to enhanced protection from these dangerous strikes from the sky, reports a new study. 

The idea of diverting lightning with lasers dates back decades, but the newly reported experiment, which took place on Switzerland's Säntis Mountain in the summer of 2021, is the first to finally demonstrate this process in the field.