WSJ Tech News Briefing: Inside the Effort to Reboot America’s Nuclear Energy Program

Release Date: June 16, 2025
Host: Victoria Craig
Author: The Wall Street Journal

Introduction

In this episode of the WSJ Tech News Briefing, host Victoria Craig delves into two pivotal advancements shaping the intersection of technology and society. The primary focus is on America’s reinvigorated nuclear energy program, propelled by substantial private investment, robust support from the Trump administration, and the pressing AI rivalry with China. Additionally, the episode explores the innovative use of artificial intelligence in combating senior loneliness through an AI companion named Mila.

Rebooting America’s Nuclear Energy Program

Presidential Support and Policy Initiatives

President Trump has been a staunch advocate for nuclear energy, aiming to spearhead a “nuclear energy renaissance.” As Victoria Craig highlights, the administration has enacted several executive orders designed to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. This initiative is partly driven by the necessity for enormous, low-carbon energy sources to sustain America’s competitive edge in the AI sector against China.

Unnamed Expert [00:57]: "It's a hot industry. It's a brilliant industry."

Standard Nuclear and Triso Fuel Innovation

Heather Somerville, WSJ’s Tech and National Security reporter, introduces Standard Nuclear, a key player in this nuclear resurgence. The company is pioneering the development of Triso fuel, a novel type of nuclear fuel where enriched uranium is encased in ceramic materials, significantly enhancing safety by containing nuclear material effectively.

Heather Somerville [01:43]: “Standard Nuclear is the only standalone Triso fuel maker in the United States and the largest in terms of its capacity outside of China.”

This technological advancement positions Standard Nuclear as a formidable force in supplying modern reactors across the United States, potentially transforming the nation’s energy landscape.

Risks and Challenges in the Nuclear Reboot

Despite the optimism, the nuclear revival is fraught with challenges. Heather Somerville elaborates on historical and present-day obstacles:

Heather Somerville [02:39]: “Nuclear has always been problematic throughout history... nuclear power is super expensive. Old fashioned fossil fuels are cheap by comparison.”

Key risks include lingering public fears from past nuclear disasters, substantial financial barriers due to high project costs, and frequent delays that have historically deterred investment. These factors collectively contribute to skepticism about the feasibility and sustainability of the current nuclear revival efforts.

The AI and China Competitive Edge

The strategic importance of nuclear energy extends beyond power generation—it is intrinsically linked to the AI competition with China. As Victoria Craig and Heather Somerville discuss, the ability to generate vast amounts of low-carbon energy is essential for powering AI infrastructures.

Heather Somerville [04:21]: “China has accelerated the building of reactors, the development of fuel. It’s about to catch up with Russia in the near term on enriching uranium.”

The U.S. faces significant pressure to escalate its nuclear capabilities to prevent China from gaining a dominant position in both energy and AI technologies, which are critical for national security and economic supremacy.

Private Funding and Venture Capital Involvement

A transformative aspect of the current nuclear renaissance is the influx of private capital, including venture capital investments. Since 2021, approximately $2.5 billion has been invested in U.S. nuclear projects, marking a departure from the traditionally cautious stance of venture capitalists towards nuclear energy.

Heather Somerville [05:31]: “A lot of these smaller reactors and these new projects that are coming online in nuclear don't need the same amount of money that the big old reactors had of prior decades.”

This shift is facilitated by the emergence of smaller, modular reactors that require less upfront investment, making them more attractive to private investors and enabling more agile development compared to traditional large-scale nuclear projects.

Mila: AI Companion Alleviating Senior Loneliness

Introduction to Mila

Transitioning from energy to societal well-being, the episode features Julie Jargan, WSJ’s Family and Tech columnist, who introduces Mila, an AI-driven companion designed to provide emotional support to seniors. Mila engages with residents in senior living communities through scheduled phone conversations, aiming to reduce feelings of loneliness and improve mental health.

Victoria Craig [07:40]: “Phone calls with an empathetic listener can help older adults feel less alone and improve mental health.”

Pilot Study and Positive Outcomes

In a pilot program at a senior living community in Riverdale, Bronx, Mila was tested with 23 residents. The results were promising, showing significant improvements in depression and anxiety levels among participants after 30 days of interaction.

Unnamed AI Expert [08:52]: “People who participated and who had had moderate to severe depression prior to speaking with Mila showed a very big improvement...”

Resident Experience: Marvin Marcus

The episode features Marvin Marcus, an 83-year-old resident, who shares his positive experience with Mila. He appreciates Mila’s ability to engage in diverse and meaningful conversations, particularly about his interests like baseball.

Marvin Marcus [09:26]: “Have you picked up any good books lately?”

Unnamed AI Expert [10:03]: “He enjoys talking to Mila because she’s trained on all sorts of things, and she knows baseball and she knows current events...”

Mila’s empathetic listening and ability to sustain engaging conversations make her a valuable companion for residents who might otherwise experience diminishing social interactions.

Future Prospects for Mila

Encouraged by the pilot's success, the developers plan to expand Mila’s presence to more senior living communities and introduce a direct-to-consumer subscription model, allowing individuals nationwide to benefit from her companionship.

Unnamed AI Expert [11:13]: “They’re in the process of offering it as a direct to consumer service where people can pay some sort of subscription anywhere in the country to receive calls or call Mila.”

Conclusion

This episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing underscores the dynamic interplay between technological innovation and societal needs. On one hand, America’s ambitious push to rejuvenate its nuclear energy program reflects a critical strategy to maintain global competitiveness in AI and secure sustainable energy sources. On the other, the development of AI companions like Mila highlights the compassionate application of technology to address human-centric challenges such as senior loneliness. Together, these narratives illustrate the multifaceted role of technology in shaping both the macroeconomic landscape and individual well-being.

Notable Quotes:

• Heather Somerville [02:39]: “Nuclear has always been problematic throughout history... nuclear power is super expensive.”

• Heather Somerville [05:31]: “A lot of these smaller reactors and these new projects that are coming online in nuclear don't need the same amount of money that the big old reactors had of prior decades.”

• Unnamed AI Expert [10:03]: “She’s trained on all sorts of things, and she knows baseball and she knows current events...”

Produced by Julie Chang and supervising producer Melanie Roy. For more insights, stay tuned to the Wall Street Journal’s Tech News Briefing.