The Nuclear Institute has launched its position statement on artificial intelligence (AI), helping to ensure members are equipped to navigate its impact.
Launched during Nuclear Week in Parliament, and developed by the Institute’s AI4Nuclear group, the paper outlines how AI can improve efficiency, decision-making and safety; promote collaboration; and support professional development.
The Institute also outlined its commitment to providing members with access to training on AI, forums for collaboration and sharing best practice, and access to information on the development of legislation and regulation.
Nuclear Institute colleagues shared the paper with ministers and sector professionals at an event in Westminster during Nuclear Week in Parliament, an initiative designed to promote the opportunities that nuclear energy presents to Government.
Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, commented:
"AI is going to transform our economy in ways we haven't fully grasped. The nuclear industry has always been at the forefront of innovation and so I welcome the Nuclear Institute’s work to examine the opportunities for incorporating AI into the sector. It does mean, however, that we're going to need even greater amounts of energy in the future. That's why Britain has to double down on reliable and abundant energy from nuclear power, and take radical steps to make it cheaper and easier to build”.
Professor Adrian Bull MBE HonFNucI, President of the Nuclear Institute, also spoke on the progress made since the Institute’s strategy launch last year, celebrating the growth in membership, increased uptake in Chartership and professional registrations, and the biggest selection of training and resources now available to members.
“We are committed to ensuring our members are equipped to both harness the opportunities and navigate the challenges of AI,” Adrian said. “It has the potential to make a real difference to how we work. Technology can save time and effort in lots of ways – but we must also recognise its limitations. As nuclear professionals, we have critical skills, insight, knowledge and experience which AI cannot replicate – and it’s though our professional standards that we can recognise and respect that important difference. Those standards help us to understand where technology can help and where human input remains vital."
“Responsible adoption of AI is crucial, and we look to empower our members to lead the industry forward ethically and accurately. Together, we can tackle the big challenges, like decarbonisation, national and energy security, and sustainability, and build a future we’re proud of.”
In alignment with its overall strategic ambitions and commitment to supporting members and the broader nuclear community, the paper identifies what AI means for nuclear professionals, highlighting opportunities for improving efficiency, decision-making and safety, and promoting knowledge and data sharing. At the same time, the paper acknowledges the risks surrounding trustworthiness, transparency and cyber-security.
Working closely alongside the AI4Nuclear group, which forms part of the special interest group for digital (DigSIG), the Institute has committed to providing members with:
· a guidance framework around the adoption of AI;
access to resources, workshops, and training programmes focused on AI;
· forums to facilitate collaboration, share insights and best practices through events and webinars on AI;
· access to information on the development of legislation and regulation that promotes ethical and responsible AI use;
· a platform for nuclear professionals to have a say in how AI is used and regulated, ensuring their expertise shapes the future of AI policy and practice.
To find out more and read the full position paper, visit here
ENDS
For more information and interview opportunities, please contact Distinctive Communications:
· Arianne Smart: arianne.smart@distinctivecomms.co.uk / 07435 763384
· Heather McKay: heather.mckay@distinctivecomms.co.uk / 07353 960 832.
Attached photographs may be used in connection with this press release.
Photos show: Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero addressing the Nuclear Institute event
Photo credit: Nuclear Institute/Alastair Fyfe Photography
Notes to editors
About the Nuclear Institute
The Nuclear Institute was established on 1 January 2009, through the unification of two different nuclear institutions, the Institute of Nuclear Engineers (INucE) and the British Nuclear Energy Society (BNES).
After the two organisations were amalgamated, the Nuclear Institute became a member of the UK Science Council, Engineering Council and the Society for the Environment and, as such, is licensed to provide charterships, member, and fellowships.
With over 5000 members, the Nuclear Institute has a strong number of Special Interest Groups (SIGs), encouraging knowledge dissemination within areas such as technology, Artificial Intelligence, and underpinning policy development.
Professional membership bodies play a vital, direct role in building the UK’s nuclear workforce. The Nuclear Institute represents many thousands of professionals who design, regulate, operate and decommission nuclear facilities across the country. Working with Government, the Institute helps set common standards, endorse skills and support employers in a safety critical sector.
All of these issues were highlighted in the report from the Nuclear Regulatory Task Force, which made key recommendations to support the golden age of nuclear. For Government, regulators, industry and academia, closer partnership with the NI helps to strengthen the nuclear skills pipeline, from early careers through to senior leadership. Formal recognition of professional accreditation helps to support workforce readiness for new large-scale nuclear, SMRs, decommissioning and all other parts of the sector.
About Nuclear Week in Parliament
Nuclear Week in Parliament is an important event organised by the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) that brings together Parliamentarians, industry representatives, and stakeholders to discuss key issues related to the nuclear sector. The event aims to engage with policymakers on various topics, including new nuclear builds, the fuel cycle, decommissioning, and the role of nuclear energy in achieving net-zero emissions.
Nuclear Week in Parliament serves as a critical forum for discussing the future of nuclear energy in the UK, highlighting its potential to provide clean energy and support the country's climate goals. It also emphasizes the importance of public engagement and understanding of nuclear technology's benefits and safety measures.
For more detailed information about the agenda and specific events, visit https://www.niauk.org/nuclear-week-in-parliament-2026/.