Google DeepMind Tunes Fusion Reactor with AI to Unlock Clean Energy Breakthroughs

Google DeepMind Teams Up with Fusion Energy Startup to Harness AI for Clean Power In a significant collaboration, Google's DeepMind division has partnered with Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) to fine-tune the operation of its Sparc reactor using artificial intelligence. The companies plan to simulate the plasma that will burn inside CFS's reactor using specialized DeepMind software called Torax, and pair it with AI models to help optimize fusion power. According to a statement from CFS, the partnership aims to leverage AI to overcome one of the biggest challenges facing fusion startups: maintaining the plasma hot enough for an extended period. "We're excited to work with Google's DeepMind team to apply their expertise in machine learning and AI to our fusion reactor," said Bob Mumgaard, CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems. The Sparc reactor is a key component of CFS's mission to deliver massive amounts of electricity with zero emissions from a virtually limitless source of fuel: water. This technology has garnered significant attention from the tech industry, with many companies eyeing it as a potential solution for powering energy-hungry data centers. This collaboration marks Google's second foray into nuclear fusion research, following its previous partnership with TAE Technologies to study plasma behavior using AI. "We believe that AI might be uniquely suited to making fusion power possible," said an anonymous source within the company. Fusion power has long been touted as a promising solution to the world's energy needs, but it has faced significant technical hurdles in the past. The process involves fusing atomic nuclei together to release vast amounts of energy, but maintaining the plasma hot enough for an extended period has proven challenging. The partnership between CFS and Google DeepMind is seen as a major step forward in addressing this challenge. "By combining our expertise in machine learning with CFS's innovative approach to fusion technology, we hope to make significant progress towards commercializing fusion power," said Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind. As the world continues to grapple with climate change and energy sustainability, the potential implications of this collaboration are vast. If successful, it could pave the way for a new era of clean and virtually limitless energy production. Background: Commonwealth Fusion Systems was founded in 2016 with the goal of developing commercially viable fusion power technology. Google's DeepMind division has been actively exploring applications of AI in various fields, including energy research. Next Developments: The partnership between CFS and Google DeepMind is expected to yield significant results in the coming months, with plans for regular updates on their progress. As the world watches this collaboration unfold, one thing is clear: the future of fusion power has never looked brighter. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*