Nuclear Power for AI

AI tools require an immense quantity of energy to remain operational. It is not just the energy required to run the application on a personal computer, but more importantly, the energy needed to operate the intensive algorithmic training and keep the programs running at the large data centers that strains current energy sources. Nuclear energy presents a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuel (coal, oil, natural gas) energy due to lowered carbon emissions which contribute largely to air pollution and climate change. As a developing nation and leader in the AI industry, we must consider ethics while developing both AI and environmental protection practices and perhaps strike a balance between the two, optimizing our approach to bettering humanity.  

The environmental ethics theory of biocentrism emphasizes the intrinsic value of life; it would therefore be unethical to plow down a forest or pollute the atmosphere with carbon dioxide emissions. In real application, it is suggested that these activities be utilitarianly justified or minimized. If properly implemented and maintained, nuclear power could prove more environmentally ethical.  

Nuclear energy will power AI more efficiently and cleanly than fossil fuels. Uranium-235, the primary radioactive element used in nuclear energy has an energy density of 80,000,000 MJ/Kg, nearly 3 million times that of coal. Nuclear power is more stable than fossil fuel power- it remains operational 24/7, whereas coal plants may cease operation as they wait for a new shipment.  

Despite the positive aspects of nuclear power, it brings many disadvantages to the table, these being: radioactive waste, massive accidents, and the colossal payment required to build a power plant. When the nucleus of a uranium atom undergoes fission, it will split into smaller yet still radioactive atoms, such as Iodine-131, Cesium-137, and Strontium-90. These tiny byproducts of the nuclear power reaction are hazardous indeed.  

To ensure an environmentally ethical approach to nuclear power, we must mitigate the adverse effects of nuclear waste to the furthest extent possible. Nuclear waste should be properly cooled and stored in safe environments protected from geological disruptions. Guaranteeing that nuclear power remains safe is critical to ensuring that it is a superior source of AI energy to fossil fuels. AI itself can even be used to establish safety within plants to prevent accidents. Predictive machine learning algorithms can constantly monitor internal conditions such as temperature, radioactivity, pressure, and coolant levels to advise the administration of corrective actions to regulate and control the reaction. While the cost to build a nuclear power plant is immense, it provides cleaner energy and a potentially economical long-term investment.  

Various environmental ethics frameworks suggest the inherent value of nature and the need to protect it. As companies call for more energy to fuel their AI expansion endeavors, nuclear power will aid in the development of AI that can ethically coexist with the environment. Environmental protection should be regarded as an ethical imperative, and nuclear power will serve as a pivotal instrument in starting humanity’s pursuit of that mission.