English 
Spanish 
3 min read
0 comments
With the rise of artificial intelligence, the technology sector is betting on nuclear energy as a clean and efficient alternative to meet the growing energy demand in data centers. Will this be the trend of the future?
Nuclear energy, which seemed like a thing of the past, is coming back with a vengeance, and this time, the technology sector could be largely responsible for this return. Amid the explosive increase in energy consumption by artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, technology giants such as Google and Microsoft are looking to this energy source to maintain their operations.
Google, for example, announced a groundbreaking partnership with Kairos Power to develop small nuclear reactors. These reactors, known as SMRs (Small Modular Reactors), promise to provide clean, safe and reliable energy for data centers that process AI, whose energy demand can be almost three times greater than that of conventional centers. According to the company, the first reactor should be implemented this decade, with new projects until 2035.
Does the technology sector embrace nuclear energy as a viable solution?
Google’s move is not an isolated one. Microsoft is also pursuing similar solutions, reaching a deal to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, a facility that was the site of a historic nuclear accident in 1979. Amazon, meanwhile, announced the acquisition of a nuclear-powered data center in Pennsylvania. The tech industry is clearly eyeing the potential of nuclear power to keep its massive AI operations running.
- Brazil may dominate the global uranium market but its HUGE nuclear potential is blocked by an outdated regulatory framework and slow political decisions. Understand:
- 100 reactors in 10 years: China's PLAN to become the world's largest nuclear exporter and lead the global sector
- Brazil moves forward with the US, Russia and China to revolutionize the nuclear sector with new reactors and modernization of Angra
- Angra 1: First Brazilian nuclear power plant guarantees operation until 2044 with an investment of R$ 3,2 billion from Eletronuclear!
Typical data centers already consume approximately 32 megawatts, but those dedicated to AI processing can reach a whopping 80 megawatts! This makes nuclear energy is one of the few options capable of reliably meeting this demand without compromising environmental sustainability.
Criticism and concerns about the return of nuclear energy
However, not everything is rosy. Environmental groups such as Greenpeace have raised concerns. Critics say nuclear power still poses a significant risk, both because of the high costs of implementation and the potential dangers of accidents and radioactive waste.. They argue that renewable sources, such as solar and wind, are safer and more economical options in the long term.
Although SMRs (small modular reactors) are being developed with a focus on safety and efficiency, the technology sector will have to face public and environmental resistance to consolidate this trend. Currently, some universities already use these small reactors for educational purposes, but there are still no large-scale operational units for commercial purposes.
The future of the technology sector
With the AI industry growing at a rapid pace, the search for sustainable energy solutions has never been more urgent. The technology sector is betting on nuclear energy to support this new era of large-scale processing, but the question remains: will this technology win the public's trust and overcome the challenges it faces?
Do you believe that nuclear energy will be the future of data centers? Or do you think that renewable energy is still the best solution? Share your opinion in the comments!
