Amazon, Google Sign Pledge to Support Tripling of Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050
Major companies such as Amazon and Google on Wednesday signed a pledge to support the goal of at least tripling the world's nuclear energy capacity by 2050, on the sidelines of the CERAWeek conference in Houston.
Shale company Occidental and Japanese heavy machinery maker IHI Corp also added their names to the pledge.
"We are truly at the beginning of a new industry," US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Reuters in an interview at the CERAWeek conference on Tuesday.
The pledge is expected to gain more support in the coming months from industries including maritime, aviation and oil and gas, said the World Nuclear Association (WNA), the nuclear industry group that facilitated the pledge, in a press release.
It adds on to the vow from over 30 countries, which also aimed to triple capacity by 2050 in 2023.
Nuclear energy, a source of clean power, generates 9% of the world's electricity from 439 power reactors, according to WNA.
It has also become a compelling solution for power-guzzling data centers, with Big Tech firms already having signed multiple billion-dollar
deals with utilities.
In January last year, prices of uranium oxide, which is used in nuclear technology, hit their highest in over 16 years due to supply uncertainty and higher demand, having gained momentum in 2021 when disruptions caused by COVID-19 lockdowns hit supplies.
Despite the demand, its supply is still constrained as global uranium production is heavily concentrated in Kazakhstan, Canada and Australia, accounting for around two-thirds of global output in 2022, according to WNA.
As of early 2025, the world had only around 411 nuclear power reactors operating, with a combined capacity of 371 gigawatts.
Amazon, which says it has spent over $1 billion on nuclear energy projects and technologies, is exploring small modular reactor projects as well.
Meta and Google are also looking into the nascent technology.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
UK to boost ‘homegrown talent' in new AI skills drive
LONDON: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday pledged to boost 'homegrown talent for the AI age' by teaming up with tech giants to train 7.5 million workers in artificial intelligence skills. Speaking at the start of London's Tech Week, with a line-up of speakers including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Starmer said: 'In this global race, we can be an AI maker and not an AI taker.' Starmer was due to have a one-on-one conversation with the chief of the star Silicon Valley semiconductor firm whose chips are critical for artificial intelligence applications and research. Ahead of the event bringing together industry giants, Starmer announced a government-industry partnership to train 7.5 million workers in AI skills, including in using chatbots and large language models to boost productivity. Tech firms including Nvidia, Google, Microsoft and Amazon committed to make training materials freely available to businesses over the next five years. Google EMEA region President Debbie Weinstein called it a 'crucial initiative' essential for developing AI skills, unlocking AI-powered growth 'and cementing the UK's position as an AI leader.' In his opening speech, Starmer said Britain must build 'the digital infrastructure that we need to make sure AI improves our public services.' The UK has a 'responsibility' to 'harness this unprecedented opportunity and to use it to improve the lives of working people,' Starmer added. 'We are going to build more homes, more labs, more data centers, and we're going to do it much, much more quickly.' His government has pledged to fire up the UK's flagging economy, including with 'pro-growth' AI regulations to attract tech investment and turn Britain into an 'AI superpower.' 'We are putting the power of AI into the hands of the next generation — so they can shape the future, not be shaped by it,' Starmer said in a press release before the event. The British leader unveiled £187 million ($253 million) in funding to help develop tech abilities including training for one million secondary school students, as part of its 'TechFirst' program. He called it a 'step change in how we train homegrown talent for the AI age.' The investment will 'embed AI right through our education system,' he said, announcing nearly £150 million in undergraduate and PhD research scholarships in AI and tech. Starmer also announced a 'commitment from Nvidia to partner on a new AI talent pipeline,' including through expanding a Nvidia lab in Bristol, southwest England. The UK's AI sector is valued at £72 billion, employing over 64,000 people, and is projected to exceed £800 billion by 2035. It was growing 30 times faster than the rest of the economy, according to government figures from 2023 — an 'incredible' rate, according to Starmer. Other speakers at the tech conference include the CEO of Mistral AI, Arthur Mensch, the UK's Science Secretary Peter Kyle and Markus Villig, founder of ride-hailing app Bolt.
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka celebrates 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan
Saudi Gazette report OSAKA — The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan. The two countries established diplomatic relations on June 7, 1955, laying the foundation for a long-term partnership that has evolved over the decades into a multifaceted alliance enhancing cultural exchange and diplomatic cooperation. This partnership has also had a significant economic impact on both nations. In February 2025, Saudi Arabia and Japan signed a memorandum to establish a Strategic Partnership Council. In this context, Saudi Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr said that Saudi-Japanese relations have grown and strengthened over the past 70 years. 'The relations go beyond a mere economic partnership to reflect the depth and diversity of our ties. Today, we build on the strength of the past and harness the momentum of the present to jointly shape a new vision for the future,' the ambassador said. 'With Expo 2025 taking place in Osaka and Saudi Arabia hosting Expo 2030 in Riyadh, our two countries stand at the forefront of global exchange, showcasing the latest innovations and sustainable technologies, and contributing to shaping an inclusive future for all.' The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka hosts hundreds of business events aimed at strengthening trade and investment relations between the Kingdom and Japan. These include presentations led by the Ministries of Investment and Commerce, as well as events highlighting the trade and investment opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030. Trade volume between the two countries has grown significantly over the past decade, rising from $33.4 billion to over $41 billion currently. The Saudi Pavilion aims to increase the number of Japanese visitors to the Kingdom, targeting 30,000 annual visitors before Expo 2030 Riyadh. This is part of the comprehensive Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 strategy, which includes more than 80 projects across nine sectors: culture, food and agricultural security, media and entertainment, healthcare, advanced infrastructure, finance and investment, competitive industries, energy, small and medium enterprises, sports, and education. Cultural exchange between the two countries has flourished, highlighted by Saudi Arabia's role in bringing Japanese culture to the Middle East through local manga studios, whose works will be showcased at the Saudi Pavilion in August. The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka offers more than 700 diverse and engaging events, including daily shows and live performing arts. Since the Expo opened in April 2025, it has attracted over 500,000 visitors. On September 23, it is expected to host a variety of events and presentations in celebration of Saudi National Day.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Meta Reportedly in Talks over Scale AI Investment that Could Exceed $10 Billion
Meta Platforms is in talks to make an investment that could exceed $10 billion in artificial intelligence startup Scale AI, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday. The terms of the deal were not yet finalized and could still change, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. Scale AI declined to comment and Meta did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours. Founded in 2016, Scale AI is a data labeling startup backed by tech giants Nvidia, Amazon and Meta. Last valued at nearly $14 billion, Scale AI also provides a platform for researchers to exchange AI-related information, with contributors in more than 9,000 cities and towns.
