AI's Energy Demands Fuel Investment in Next-Generation Nuclear Power
The growing energy demands of artificial intelligence are driving unprecedented investment in next-generation nuclear power plants, according to MIT Technology Review. These new nuclear facilities are seen as a potential source of electricity for the massive data centers required to support AI's computational needs.
The increased demand stems from the proliferation of hyperscale AI data centers. These facilities require enormous amounts of power, leading companies to explore alternative energy sources. Next-generation nuclear power plants are considered a viable option due to their potential for cheaper construction and safer operation compared to older models. MIT Technology Review highlighted next-gen nuclear reactors as one of its 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2026.
In other news, European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius told Euronews that the European Union needs to strengthen its conventional defense capabilities. Kubilius stated that while Europe currently relies on the US nuclear umbrella, it "can and must work towards becoming independent in conventional defence." He added, "Europeans cannot replace the US nuclear umbrella, at least for the time being, but when it comes to conventional defence the situation is different." This statement comes after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the European Union relies on US nuclear protections.
Meanwhile, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg discussed his ambitions for Meta's AI smart glasses business during the company's Q4 2025 earnings call on Wednesday. Zuckerberg believes that AI glasses are poised to become ubiquitous. "It's hard to imagine a world in several years where most glasses that people wear aren't AI glasses," Zuckerberg said, according to TechCrunch. He compared the current state of AI glasses to the early days of smartphones, suggesting a similar trajectory of widespread adoption. Zuckerberg also noted that sales of Meta's glasses tripled within the last year. "And I think that we're at a moment similar to when smartphones arrived, and it was clearly only a matter of time until all those flip phones became smartphones," he stated.
In other developments, SpaceX has issued a set of demands to US states regarding broadband grants for Starlink, Ars Technica reported. SpaceX is seeking assurances that Starlink will receive federal grant money, even if residents do not subscribe to the service. The company has pledged to provide all necessary equipment at no cost to subscribers requesting service, eliminating the upfront hardware fee. SpaceX also promised to make broadband available for $80 or less a month, plus taxes and fees, to low-income individuals in subsidized areas. For comparison, the normal Starlink residential service costs more.
Finally, the BBC One released a trailer for its new miniseries adaptation of William Golding's classic novel "Lord of the Flies," according to Ars Technica. The miniseries, which has the support of the Golding family, is expected to closely follow the plot of the 1954 novel. The story revolves around a group of stranded boys struggling to survive. The novel has been adapted for film three times previously and inspired the TV series "Yellowjackets."
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