Amazon cloud powers US bid for autonomous next-gen nuclear reactors

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have partnered to leverage AWS’s cloud computing, AI foundation models via Amazon Bedrock, and specialized hardware to advance next-generation autonomous nuclear reactors. The collaboration aims to reduce the cost and time involved in designing, licensing, building, and operating nuclear facilities, with the long-term goal of enabling safe, reliable autonomous operation of advanced reactors to accelerate their deployment. INL will utilize AWS’s AI models and computing power to develop nuclear energy applications, including creating a digital twin—a virtual simulation model—of a small modular reactor (SMR) as a key initial project. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to foster collaboration among government labs, AI firms, and nuclear developers, enhancing reactor safety, efficiency, and responsiveness. The digital twin technology will allow near real-time simulations critical for autonomous control systems. The effort aligns with a growing trend of integrating AI into nuclear energy, exemplified by similar work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which