Sam Altman’s nuclear start-up strikes a major deal to power AI’s energy demands - could small reactors be the future of clean energy?

December 19th 2024

Credit: Financial Times

In Summary:

Oklo, a nuclear energy start-up chaired by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, has signed a landmark 20-year agreement with Switch Inc. to supply power to its data centers using small modular reactors (SMRs). The deal, with a potential capacity of up to 12 gigawatts, marks one of the largest clean energy commitments in history, though it remains non-binding as Oklo’s technology is years from deployment.

The agreement underscores the soaring energy needs of AI and Big Tech, which require massive, sustainable power sources. While proponents like Oklo’s CEO Jacob DeWitte argue that nuclear energy is the only viable solution to meet these demands, critics point to the high risks, radioactive waste, and potential delays inherent in nuclear projects.

This move follows similar partnerships between nuclear developers and tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, as Big Tech takes on first-mover risks to support a nascent nuclear industry. Could these agreements pave the way for a nuclear renaissance, or will challenges like cost, regulation, and skepticism delay progress? On a global scale, what role will nuclear energy play in balancing AI’s growth with sustainability goals?

Read the full article at: Financial Times: Sam Altman-led nuclear start-up signs major AI power supply deal