Part 5/10:
Rather than large, conventional nuclear plants, industry leaders are investing in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These are factory-made, scalable units that can be transported and deployed near data centers. Technologies like Google's Kerios Power use "tisofuel" pebbles—small, ceramic-wrapped uranium kernels resistant to melting—eliminating the need for cumbersome high-pressure water cooling systems. These reactors are virtually safe, compact enough to fit into a backyard, and, crucially, software-defined.
AI plays a pivotal role here: engineers now use AI-powered digital twins to simulate neutron flux and optimize reactor performance in real time. This full-circle integration exemplifies how AI is fundamentally reshaping nuclear engineering.