Russia Proposes IAEA Working Group on AI in Nuclear Energy
Russia has called on the Secretariat of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to consider establishing a technical working group focused on the use of artificial intelligence in the nuclear energy sector.
The proposal was presented during a session of the Agency’s Board of Governors in Vienna by Mikhail Ulyanov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to International Organizations.
A Mechanism with a Proven Track Record
Russia’s proposal builds on the successful experience of technical working groups within the IAEA, which have already demonstrated their value as effective mechanisms for coordinating international efforts in nuclear-sector development. Establishing a dedicated group on artificial intelligence would help structure and coordinate the Agency’s activities in this rapidly evolving field.
Russia also welcomed the IAEA Secretariat’s response to a call from a group of member states to hold a dedicated briefing on artificial intelligence. The development reflects growing international interest in the application of AI technologies across the nuclear energy sector.
Expanding the IAEA Agenda
For several years, the IAEA has steadily incorporated digitalization and advanced technologies into its agenda, recognizing their potential to improve the safety, efficiency, and economic performance of nuclear facilities.
A dedicated working group would allow the Agency to consolidate accumulated experience, coordinate research efforts across multiple countries, and develop common approaches to the use of AI in nuclear energy while maintaining the stringent safety requirements that define the industry.
Practical Benefits for the Industry
Speaking at the IAEA Conference on AI and Nuclear Energy in December 2025, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev noted that artificial intelligence technologies can significantly optimize project-delivery costs.
Applications include predictive analytics for forecasting equipment failures, computer vision for inspecting weld quality and structural components, optimization of reactor operating modes, and acceleration of engineering calculations and physical-process modelling. Together, these tools can shorten project timelines, reduce operating costs, and improve equipment reliability.
International Coordination of Efforts
An IAEA working group could provide a platform for knowledge-sharing among countries developing nuclear-energy programmes. Major industry players have already accumulated substantial experience with AI technologies, ranging from operator-support systems at nuclear power plants to big-data analytics algorithms used to optimize fuel cycles.
Coordination at the IAEA level would support the development of common standards and recommendations for AI deployment in high-consequence systems, where safety remains the overriding priority.
Russia has accumulated significant experience in applying artificial intelligence within the nuclear sector and continues to expand these efforts. Within Rosatom, dedicated industrial AI platforms have been established, predictive-maintenance systems have been deployed, and neural-network technologies are being used to accelerate scientific calculations and engineering modelling. Russian nuclear experts also participate in international scientific projects involving the application of AI in nuclear physics and medical physics.
Russia’s proposal to establish an IAEA working group on AI in nuclear energy reflects the maturity of a sector that is moving beyond experimental applications toward systematic integration of advanced technologies into industrial and scientific processes. International coordination in this area could accelerate innovation while maintaining high safety standards.
