Microsoft and Idaho National Laboratory are deploying AI to accelerate nuclear power plant permitting in the US, responding to growing electricity demand from AI data centers and the need for clean energy. The AI systems, trained on past successful applications, will generate engineering and safety reports that previously took years to complete. Automating sections of licensing workflows with generative AI could reduce the approval process from 12 years to as little as 18 months, supporting both new projects and upgrades to existing facilities. This initiative aligns with recent executive orders to streamline nuclear licensing and could drive innovation in the nuclear sector as tech companies increasingly look to nuclear power for their energy needs.
