Microsoft and Idaho National Lab Deploy AI to Accelerate Nuclear Permitting Process

In a groundbreaking move toward energy innovation, Microsoft has partnered with the Idaho National Laboratory to harness artificial intelligence for streamlining the nuclear power plant permitting process in the United States.

This collaboration aims to dramatically reduce the time it takes to secure nuclear permits—currently a multiyear endeavor—by using AI models that simulate regulatory requirements, automate documentation workflows, and optimize risk assessments.

Microsoft’s Azure platform is reportedly being used to analyze historical permit data and create predictive models that assist engineers and federal agencies in decision-making. The Department of Energy backs the effort, calling it “a strategic leap” in reducing bureaucratic friction while maintaining safety.

The partnership aligns with the federal government's push for clean energy expansion and comes amid renewed interest in advanced nuclear reactors that promise zero-emissions power.