We all understand that artificial intelligence is the next big technological advancement, possibly the last major revolution. That’s why companies are addressing its biggest challenge: electricity consumption.
Microsoft believes that next-generation nuclear reactors can power its data centers and its AI ambitions, as indicated in a job posting for a program director who will lead the company’s nuclear energy strategy.
Data centers already consume a significant amount of electricity, which could hinder the company’s climate goals unless it finds clean energy sources.
AI poses an even greater energy challenge for the company
Nuclear energy does not produce greenhouse gas emissions. However, it could also open an entirely new Pandora’s box when it comes to the management of radioactive waste and the creation of a uranium supply chain.
The role that nuclear energy should play in the fight against climate change remains the subject of heated debates, but Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has long been a staunch advocate of this technology.
According to the new job posting, it seems that Microsoft is betting on advanced nuclear reactors as the answer. The job posting states that they are hiring someone to “lead project initiatives for all aspects of nuclear energy infrastructure for global growth.”
Specifically, Microsoft is looking for someone capable of implementing a plan for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These next-generation reactors are a topic of discussion for many.
However, there are still some details to be worked out if Microsoft wants to rely on SMRs to power the data centers that house its cloud and AI. But with the current indications we have, it does seem likely.
