The article discusses how the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence and data centers are driving interest in small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). Venture capitalists and tech companies are increasingly investing in nuclear technology startups to power AI operations, with companies like Microsoft and OpenAI showing particular interest. The piece highlights that AI’s massive energy consumption is creating a significant challenge, with data centers already consuming about 2% of U.S. electricity. By 2025, AI-related power demands are expected to require as much electricity as a small country. SMRs are being viewed as a potential solution, offering cleaner, more reliable power than traditional energy sources. The article notes that several nuclear startups, including TerraPower and NuScale, are developing SMRs specifically targeting data center applications. These reactors are smaller, safer, and more cost-effective than traditional nuclear plants, making them particularly attractive for AI infrastructure. The piece also discusses regulatory challenges and timeline expectations, with the first commercial SMRs potentially coming online by 2025-2030. The intersection of AI and nuclear technology represents a significant shift in how tech companies approach their energy needs, with implications for both the future of AI development and clean energy adoption.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/small-modular-reactor-venture-capital-ai-data-centers-2025-3