Work

Nuclear clouds: the infrastructural convergence of AI and energy systems

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This short commentary maps the convergence of industrial AI infrastructures and national energy systems, with a focus on the role that nuclear power plays in these ambitions. Drawing from examples from the US and the UK, we start tracing the political economy and techno-political rationalities behind the shift from what previous commentators described as the Carbon Cloud (or the mutual dependency between the AI industry and fossil fuels) to what we term here the Nuclear Cloud, or the growing convergence of the AI and nuclear sector.

Source: Journal of Cultural Economy

DOI: 10.1080/17530350.2026.2654538

Authors: Benedetta Catanzariti, Ludovico Rella, Alessio Giacometti

Institutions: University of Edinburgh, Durham University

Language: English

Topic: Global Energy Security and Policy

Subfield: General Energy

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Affordable and clean energy, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: British Academy