The demand for energy to support the growing need for artificial intelligence content is rapidly increasing, and several technology giants are considering investing in nuclear power to meet this demand.
Microsoft, a leader in AI, is also leading the transition to nuclear power. The Redmond, Washington-based company announced it will restart the reactor at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant.
“I think the Three Mile Island deal is a great step to restart Three Mile Island, but we need to do more,” said Josh Smith, director of energy policy at the Abundance Institute. “It would reform nuclear regulations and make it easier to build new power plants.”
Meanwhile, Google and Amazon said they plan to build new power plants to meet their electricity needs.
Google announced a partnership with Alameda-based Kairos Power to develop small nuclear reactors, and Amazon announced it would spend $500 million to explore the development of new nuclear reactors.
“Energy usage is not decreasing, it is only increasing over time,” said Ben Parr, president of Octane AI.
Parr said deals like the one Google struck are needed as big tech companies embrace emerging technologies.
“Energy costs are one of the biggest costs and one of the biggest problems for these companies to solve,” Parr said. “Honestly, nuclear power is a very good solution.”
Tech companies are turning to nuclear energy, but the decision is controversial. Some climate change activists said this type of energy was too dangerous and not clean enough.
Google has announced that its nuclear reactor will be operational in 2030, and Amazon in 2040.
“We need a system that builds and grows to meet these demands,” Smith said.
