Frequently Asked Questions About AI
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How is the NRC preparing for the use of AI in NRC-regulated activities?
Significant industry interest in deploying AI technologies means a need for regulators to be prepared. Regulatory preparedness is a critical part of the NRC’s plan to support AI deployment. Nevertheless, the concept of being ready to regulate something "new" is in itself "not new." The NRC anticipates that the U.S. nuclear industry will deploy AI technologies that may require regulatory review and approval in the next few years. In May 2023, the staff developed a plan that serves as a platform for engaging in conversations centered around identifying and resolving regulatory issues for AI deployment.
How is the NRC engaging with external stakeholders with respect to AI?
The NRC hosts an annual Data Science and AI Regulatory Applications public workshop to provide a forum for the NRC, nuclear industry, and stakeholders to discuss the state of knowledge and research activities related to data science and AI and their application in the nuclear industry. At these workshops, the NRC works with internal and external stakeholders to identify the benefits and risks associated with the use of AI in regulatory activities and discusses ongoing and planned projects in the nuclear industry. Based on feedback from these workshops, the nuclear industry could start deploying AI in nuclear applications in the near-term. The next workshop on AI, “AI on the Horizon: Aligning Progress with Purpose,” will be held on September 24, 2025, in a hybrid format. Register for the workshop.
How is the NRC engaging internationally on AI topics with regulatory counterparts and stakeholders?
Staff is actively involved in international activities and maintains a strong leadership role in nuclear safety research on AI while gaining insights into international experience and best practices. The NRC is involved in an ongoing collaboration with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the United Kingdom’s Office for Nuclear Regulation on an AI regulatory principles paper and potential areas of research. The NRC published the paper on September 5, 2024, and plans to share it with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other interested parties to further facilitate dialogue on AI. The NRC is also involved in two ongoing working groups with the IAEA, focusing on the safety implications of using AI in nuclear power plants and deploying AI solutions for the nuclear power industry.
How is the NRC advancing the use of AI for internal activities?
To effectively use AI and ensure long-term success, the NRC will develop a framework to integrate AI into the agency's operations. This involves investing in foundational tools to support the implementation of several use cases.
How is the NRC enabling improved tools such as the Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) to enable development of AI solutions?
AI played a role in transforming our internal database known as ADAMS. The NRC used AI-powered cognitive search technology to create an enhanced ADAMS search engine referred to as ADAMS Content Search which significantly streamlined search processes for the staff and provided a more modern search interface similar to commonly available public web search capabilities. This project offered valuable insights into practical uses of available AI tools. The NRC launched a public version of this tool, known as ADAMS Public Search, in January 2025.