Can AI modernize nuclear? This CEO thinks so

The conversation around AI in energy often centers on what it consumes. But what about what it can contribute? Nowhere is that question more relevant than in nuclear power — a resource that is both critical to decarbonization and too often slow to adopt new tools. In this episode of Power Perspectives, podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester sit down with Trey Lauderdale, Founder & CEO of Atomic Canyon, a startup pioneering the first on-premise AI platform designed for nuclear power plants. Trey shares his unconventional journey from healthcare startups to energy innovation, and how his company is already helping modernize operations at Diablo Canyon, one of the country’s most critical nuclear facilities. He highlights the challenges (and surprising wins) of bringing AI to conservative utility environments, while laying out the playbook for how AI can cut reactor engineering timelines by years. If you’ve been watching the parallel hype cycles around AI and nuclear and wondering where they truly intersect, then buckle up and enjoy this conversation that cuts through the noise with a vision from inside the control room. Key Links Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Energy Central Post for this episode: https://www.energycentral.com/podcasts/post/can-ai-modernize-nuclear-this-ceo-thinks-so-HXAZ6xmDCb3561h Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yyMuQkEluA8 Ask a Question to Our Future Guests: Do you have a burning question for the utility executives and energy industry thought leaders that we feature each week on Power Perspectives? Leave us a message here for your chance to be featured in an upcoming episode: www.speakpipe.com/EnergyCentralPodcast Atomic Canyon: http://www.atomic-canyon.com/