Revolutionizing the Nuclear Licensing Process
Microsoft and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have announced a groundbreaking partnership to utilize artificial intelligence for speeding up the complex permitting process required to build new nuclear power plants in the United States. The initiative comes as the energy sector faces rapidly rising electricity demands from expanding AI data centers and growing calls for cleaner energy solutions[1].
How AI Will Accelerate Nuclear Application Reviews
The collaboration will deploy advanced AI systems capable of generating the **engineering and safety analysis reports** that are essential for obtaining construction and operating licenses. Traditionally, compiling the intricate documentation needed for a nuclear plant application can span hundreds of pages and take years to complete. The new AI systems have been specifically trained on successful past applications, enabling them to:
- Aggregate technical studies and site-specific data, such as flood and earthquake histories[2].
- Draft complex regulatory documents that are then reviewed and refined by human experts.
- Automate sections of licensing workflows, dramatically boosting the productivity and efficiency of permitting engineers.
“It’s created for human refinement, so a human can go through each of the sections and, specifically as needed, edit any of the sections, whether manually, or maybe with the help of AI—it’s really up to the human,” said Nelli Babayan, AI director for federal civilian business at Microsoft[1].
The new technology takes advantage of **generative AI** and large language models, tailored for precise licensing tasks, allowing companies and licensing experts to expedite a process that typically takes up to 12 years and costs tens of millions of dollars[2].
Regulatory Support and Wider Impact
The project closely follows recent executive orders aimed at streamlining nuclear licensing, signed by President Donald Trump in May. The goal is to slash the multiyear approval process down to as little as 18 months—a timeline seen as critical for meeting surging demand from emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing[1].
Beyond new nuclear projects, the AI-driven solution will also support existing facilities aiming to increase output. By referencing data from dozens of prior power upgrades, Microsoft’s AI can help prepare compelling, well-supported license amendment requests[1].
Growing Momentum for Nuclear in the AI Era
As major tech firms increasingly consider nuclear power to fuel their energy-hungry AI operations, this collaborative use of AI could spur both innovation and career opportunities in the nuclear sector[3]. With both large-scale and small modular reactors attracting renewed attention and funding, the efficiency gains driven by AI stand to make nuclear projects more feasible—and more attractive to a new generation of engineers and scientists[3].
For more on the technologies involved, see [ChatGPT](https://aiapps.com/items/chatgpt).
