Google has tapped a nuclear start-up to fuel its artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, which runs on a necessarily copious amount of energy.
Under the agreement with California-based Kairos Power, a first reactor is set to fuel these data centers within the decade. Details on how much has been expended for it and where the plants are to be constructed were not disclosed. The deal has also yet to be approved by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local agencies.
More and more technology firms are looking to nuclear energy to meet AI energy demands.
“This agreement helps accelerate a new technology to meet energy needs cleanly and reliably, and unlock the full potential of AI for everyone,” said Google’s Senior Director for Energy and Climate Michael Terrell.
Kairos Executive Jeff Olson agreed that Google’s venture is crucial in speeding up the commercialization of an enhanced nuclear energy as it exemplifies the “technical and market viability” of a more environmentally sustainable alternative, which omits the use of carbon.
Kairos Power’s new nuclear reactor, which substitutes water with molten fluoride as a coolant, is the first in half a decade to have received a permit from US regulators.
Effectively carbon-free, nuclear power also supplies energy 24 hours daily.
