Are Trump and AI driving a nuclear power boom?

Short Wave

NPR

Nature, Daily News, Science, Life Sciences, News, Astronomy

4.7 • 6.6K Ratings

🗓️ 20 July 2026

⏱️ 14 minutes

🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS

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Summary

A race started by President Trump is leading to the rapid construction of new, experimental nuclear reactors. If they work, they could power data centers for artificial intelligence. But critics worry that the breakneck pace is compromising safety and public trust. NPR correspondent Geoff Brumfiel talks about the potential risks and benefits, and whether this may lead to a new nuclear age.

Read more of Geoff’s coverage of the U.S.’s new nuclear reactors here.

If you like this episode, check out our episode about what happens inside a top-secret U.S. nuclear facility?

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Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to Shortwave from NPR.
0:05.6	Hey, short wavers, Regina Barber here.
0:07.8	And you may not have realized it, but this is the U.S.'s summer of nuclear.
0:13.2	The reactor is critical.
0:16.6	First advanced reactor to ever make power buys startup.
0:20.8	We turned on a brand new advanced reactor.
0:24.3	We made neutrons and we sustained efficient chain reaction.
0:28.1	So as part of Tech Camp, we're looking at the technological frontier for innovations that could change everything.
0:34.9	And over the past few months, small nuclear reactors have been starting up at
0:38.8	sites around the country. Right, Jeff? Yeah, that's right. And more are expected to come online
0:43.9	soon, in part because of everybody's favorite topic, artificial intelligence. It's thanks to a
0:51.1	program that President Trump launched a little over a year ago.
0:55.0	I've signed an order directing and approval of many new nuclear reactors.
1:00.4	But the speed of which these new reactors are getting built has some people really worried.
1:05.5	So today on the show, NPR correspondent Jeff Brum, is tracking Trump's nuclear race.
1:11.2	And we're going to talk about it.
1:12.4	What are the risks?
1:13.6	What could be the benefits?
1:15.0	And is it actually going to lead to a new nuclear age?
1:18.8	You're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.
1:34.3	So, Jeff, I guess the first thing to talk about is why the U.S. needs more nuclear power.
1:36.2	Like, what's the thinking here?
	...

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