Nuclear clouds: the infrastructural convergence of AI and energy systems
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.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Innovation
Sustainability
Human-Machine Systems
Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
International Environmental Law and Policies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Cultural Economy
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Pages
- 1–9
- Publication date
- 20 April 2026
- Language
- EN