# A Brief History of Nuclear Energy: From Destruction To Powering AI #23

- Show: [Hard Tech Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast)
- Published: 2024-09-15
- Length: 8m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-09-15-a-brief-history-of-nuclear-energy-from-destruction-to-powering-ai-23
- Listen: https://rss.com/podcasts/hardtechpodcast/1654404

## Summary

The host of the Hard Tech Podcast outlines the history of nuclear energy, starting with Eisenhower's 1953 Atoms for Peace program and the 1957 operation of the Shippingport Atomic Power Station. He details the 1979 Three Mile Island accident, which halted US nuclear expansion for decades, and contrasts current fission operations with emerging fusion technologies. The episode highlights Helion Energy's partnership with Microsoft and OpenAI to develop fusion power specifically to support the energy demands of AI infrastructure.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-09-15-a-brief-history-of-nuclear-energy-from-destruction-to-powering-ai-23#t=0) Introduction: Atomic Age and Fusion Promise
- [0:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-09-15-a-brief-history-of-nuclear-energy-from-destruction-to-powering-ai-23#t=27) Postwar Energy Crisis and Atoms for Peace
- [1:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-09-15-a-brief-history-of-nuclear-energy-from-destruction-to-powering-ai-23#t=119) Shippingport and Early US Nuclear Plants
- [3:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-09-15-a-brief-history-of-nuclear-energy-from-destruction-to-powering-ai-23#t=193) Three Mile Island Accident and Regulatory Halt

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- National Ignition Facility (other)
- Shippingport Atomic Power Station (product)
- Three Mile Island (product)
- Helion (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- OpenAI (company)

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- [How AI is solving real utility challenges [partner content]](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-03-11-how-ai-is-solving-real-utility-challenges-partner-content) (Catalyst)
- [Is nuclear fusion getting close?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-23-is-nuclear-fusion-getting-close) (Catalyst)
- [How cyber attacks could threaten the energy transition [partner content]](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-12-10-how-cyber-attacks-could-threaten-the-energy-transition-partner-content) (Catalyst)
- [The U.S. nuclear groundswell](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-05-09-the-u-s-nuclear-groundswell) (Catalyst)

## Citing this page

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