8:30-8:35
Opening Remarks
Diane Cameron, Head of Division, Nuclear Energy Agency
8:35-9:00
Keynote 1: What is AI? What are its best uses?
This keynote will set the scene for the rest of the workshop, providing a clear definition of AI and discussing where its use is most effective. Participants should not embark on the AI journey driven by the overall hype, but rather assess their needs and tailor AI to their specific applications.
Dr Nelli Babayan, AI Director, US Federal Civilian, Microsoft
9:00-10:00
Session 1: Using AI to accelerate the Deployment of Nuclear Power
This session will offer an overview of current and future use cases of AI in the nuclear sector. It should allow participants to understand where the industry stands today. The session will also explore the potential impacts of AI applications on workforce needs and gather the views of newcomer nuclear countries who may see AI as an opportunity to accelerate deployment.
MODERATOR: Sonia Iqbal, Programme Manager, SMR Programme, CANDU Owners Group
SPEAKERS:
10:00-10:30
Break
10:30-11:30
Session 2: Rethinking Nuclear Applications around AI
AI presents a great opportunity to rethink current processes so that a higher level of automation and performance can be reached. In this session, the opportunities and challenges of replacing and/or enhancing human roles with AI will be assessed, as well as the potential benefits of combining AI with other digital technologies such as robotics and quantum computing.
MODERATOR: Dr Hogeon Seo, Senior Researcher, Applied Artificial Intelligence Section, KAERI
SPEAKERS:
11:30-12:00
Hands on Experience
Professor Nawal K. Prinja, Technology Director, Jacobs
12:00-13:30
Lunch break
13:30-14:00
Keynote 2: How Can AI Profoundly Transform Industries?
This keynote will highlight the opportunities that come with AI for process innovation and organisational change. These dimensions are at the center of every digital transformation and are key conditions for success. Ideally, this keynote could be delivered by a leader from a non-nuclear sector to serve as an inspiration.
SPEAKER: Elbert Van Der Bijl, Director of Marketing & Solutions Consulting, Yokogawa Corporation of America
14:00-15:00
Session 3: Changing Organisations with AI: from Data Management to Cultural Shift
Building on the keynote, this session will delve into the organisational aspects to consider when reshaping companies with AI, particularly within the nuclear sector. AI applications rely on data that, if not adequately managed, may lead to undesirable outcomes. The use of AI also introduces new ways of working that require new physical infrastructures and mindsets, which may positively impact performance and encourage innovative thinking.
MODERATOR: Professor Nawal K. Prinja, Technology Director, Jacobs
SPEAKERS:
15:00-15:30
Break
15:30-16:45
Session 4: Regulating AI: Opportunities and Challenges
Today, AI remains a largely unregulated domain. While potential risks are recognised, ill-designed regulations can also undermine the wave of innovation and progress. The fact that technology and regulations are advancing concurrently brings opportunities to create more enabling regulation for the nuclear sector. International sandboxing also offers a safe space for regulators and industry to perform pilot projects, build first guidelines, and define regulatory roadmap needs.
MODERATOR: Majdi Radaideh, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan
SPEAKERS:
16:45-17:00
Closing Remarks
These closing remarks will review the key points, action items, and overall outcomes of the event.
SPEAKER: Rumina Velshi, Former Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
This event is organised as an optional workshop at the Fifth International Conference on Generation IV and Small Reactors (G4SR-5) in Ottawa taking place on 1-4 October 2024. To attend this workshop, please register for 'Optional workshop' on the event registration page.
Emma.Wong@oecd-nea.org
