Seven contributions of artificial intelligence to the advancement of nuclear science and technology

As more and more countries use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and launch nuclear energy programmes, the IAEA works to ensure that people and the environment are protected from the potentially harmful effects of ionising radiation.

AI can contribute to nuclear safety and security in a number of ways. It can be used to process radiation detection system data to improve detection and identification of nuclear and other radioactive materials, analyze physical protection system data to improve intrusion detection, and detect anomalies that may be caused by a cyberattack on a nuclear facility. In the area of ​​radiation protection, integrating AI into safety standards-related programs could also enhance protection for millions of workers exposed to occupational exposure in the medical, construction, and operational sectors.

As part of the “France Relance” plan, the French government launched a call for projects to support investment and modernization of the nuclear sector and selected the ARNA project (Artificial Intelligence Research on Nuclear Applications Data). This project aims to create an AI-enhanced control system that could eventually be used to monitor storage structures at Cigéo, the geological storage project for most of the radioactive waste.