nuclearn gets $10.5m to help the nuclear industry embrace ai

AI and the Nuclear Power Industry: A Growing Partnership

Energy companies heavily invested in Artificial Intelligence are increasingly recognizing the benefits of nuclear power, drawn by its capacity for consistent, round-the-clock electricity generation. Major tech firms including Meta, Google, and Microsoft have all established agreements with both emerging companies and established reactor operators.

However, the question arises: is this enthusiasm reciprocated by the nuclear industry towards AI?

The answer is affirmative, though with certain considerations. While fully autonomous reactor control via AI is not currently envisioned, power companies are demonstrating a growing interest in leveraging the technology to optimize their business operations, as explained by Bradley Fox, co-founder and CEO of Nuclearn, in a discussion with TechCrunch.

Nuclearn: Pioneering AI Solutions for Nuclear Facilities

Fox, alongside Jerrold Vincent, founded Nuclearn to address this emerging demand. The company reports that its AI-powered tools are currently deployed in over 65 nuclear reactors globally.

Recently, Nuclearn successfully secured $10.5 million in Series A funding, spearheaded by Blue Bear Capital, with additional participation from AZ-VC, Nucleation Capital, and SJF Ventures.

The origins of Nuclearn can be traced back to the founders’ experiences at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, located near Phoenix, Arizona. Initially, they focused on streamlining repetitive tasks using data science techniques, subsequently evolving to incorporate more sophisticated AI models.

Their work quickly garnered attention from other reactor facilities. “Requests began coming in asking if we could replicate our success at Palo Verde for other plants,” Fox stated.

This growing interest coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We found ourselves with some extra time after work,” Fox explained, “and decided to launch a startup.”

Customizable AI for the Nuclear Sector

Nuclearn has developed specialized models trained on terminology specific to the nuclear industry. The company offers the capability to create customized models tailored to the unique requirements of individual utilities and power providers.

While the software primarily operates in the cloud, Nuclearn also provides assistance with on-site hardware setup for reactors that necessitate it due to stringent security protocols.

A key application of the software is the automated generation of routine documentation, which is then reviewed and approved by reactor personnel.

According to Fox, current regulatory perspectives, particularly from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, classify AI as a tool. “It’s analogous to using software like Excel or Mathematica for engineering purposes,” he clarified. “Ultimate responsibility and liability remain with human operators.”

Reactor operators retain control over the degree of automation, setting thresholds based on their comfort level and confidence in the model’s capabilities.

“The system is designed to flag uncertainties and revert tasks to human review when necessary,” Fox explained. “We encourage our clients to view the AI as a ‘junior employee’ assisting with routine tasks.”