Commentary: The UK government needs to put nuclear on par with AI for it to truly succeed

"The UK’s ambition to deliver up to 24GW of nuclear power by 2050 is a vital part of our net-zero strategy and long-term energy security. Today’s announcement around small modular reactors marks a key milestone in the nuclear roadmap, and it’s encouraging to see clear momentum building.

"At the same time, we must continue advancing nuclear fusion, a long-term clean energy solution. Fusion brings unique materials and engineering challenges, particularly in understanding how materials behave under extreme temperatures and radiation over decades. My research team focuses on advancing structural integrity assessment for engineering-critical metals in these demanding environments. We integrate cutting-edge experimental techniques with machine learning approaches to support the UK’s net-zero ambitions while addressing urgent industrial needs.

"In delivering the UK’s nuclear ambition, we need to ensure that materials perform safely and reliably across long operational lifetimes. The UK is well-positioned to lead, with world-class facilities, national laboratories, and an increasingly connected Materials 4.0 community that blends digital innovation with materials science and engineering.

"As highlighted during London Tech Week, AI is now being positioned as a national infrastructure. For nuclear innovation to succeed, our materials expertise, testing capabilities, and talent pipeline must be equally and strategically supported."