"We are training artificial intelligence (AI) on the vast amounts of data produced during past nuclear power plant construction. Using AI can reduce the risks of next-generation nuclear projects and create efficient operating models."
Mesut Uzman, head of Fermi America, said this in a keynote speech titled "Nuclear power opening the AI era" at the "2026 Korea Atomic Power Annual Conference and Pacific Rim Nuclear Conference" held on the 22nd at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO) in Busan.
Head Uzman is a professional executive with 25 years of experience leading large-scale nuclear projects in the Middle East, Asia and the United States. Uzman took part in building 16 reactors worldwide, including China's AP1000 and the UAE's Barakah nuclear plant. Uzman was appointed chief nuclear officer (CNO) of Fermi America in Aug. last year.
Fermi America has secured a site the size of 5,500 soccer fields in Carson County, Texas, and is planning to build a 17 GW power complex. The plan is to construct four AP1000 reactors designed by Westinghouse alongside a natural gas combined-cycle plant. By using AI, the company projects that fewer than 100 people will be needed to operate the site.
Head Uzman stressed that AI and nuclear power are complementary. Uzman said, "Global electricity consumption is rising rapidly due to the growth of AI data centers," and added, "For AI data centers to run reliably, they need carbon-free power 24/7, 365 days a year, and only nuclear power meets that need."
The push by big tech corporations to secure nuclear power is in the same vein. Microsoft signed a power purchase agreement to restart the Three Mile Island (TMI) plant, while Amazon decided to acquire a data center campus near a Talen Energy nuclear plant to pursue direct power transactions with the facility. Google signed a power supply agreement with Kairos Power, an SMR developer.
Uzman also emphasized that AI is needed to build and operate nuclear plants safely. Fermi America is training AI on accumulated nuclear-related data to boost productivity. The Vogtle project in Georgia, which faced delays and expense overruns during construction, is also said to serve as valuable training data.
Uzman said AI is also used in collaboration with Korean corporations. Fermi America is working with Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Doosan Enerbility and Samsung C&T on large nuclear plants and small modular reactor (SMR) projects.
Uzman added, "We are collaborating by building structures and digital workspaces that allow the United States and Korea to respond in real time based on AI," and "AI is enabling nuclear plants to be built faster and more smoothly."