Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Argonne National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary science and engineering research center where scientists and engineers pioneer breakthroughs that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. In this video, senior nuclear engineer Rick Vilim discusses Prometheus, an Argonne-led project under DOE’s Genesis Mission that combines artificial intelligence with advanced nuclear expertise to accelerate the design and deployment of nuclear reactors.
As demand for electricity grows, deploying new nuclear power at the pace and scale needed to help meet the nation’s energy needs remains a significant challenge. Nuclear projects involve complex design, licensing, manufacturing, construction and operating processes, with critical information often passing among many people and systems. These bottlenecks can slow decision-making and make it difficult to carry knowledge and lessons learned from one project into the next.
To address these challenges, Prometheus is developing an AI-enabled platform designed to make information and expertise more accessible throughout the nuclear reactor lifecycle. AI agents could help engineering teams share design changes, support licensing reviews using previous regulatory information, monitor construction and manufacturing, and assist with routine plant operations. Rather than removing people from the process, Prometheus keeps humans in the loop while using AI to help experts work more efficiently and make informed decisions faster.
The Argonne-led team includes national laboratories, universities and industry partners working together to move advances in AI-enabled nuclear engineering toward real-world applications. The project has already demonstrated AI control of a simulated reactor and installed AI-designed hardware in an active test reactor, while pursuing ambitious goals for reducing design, licensing, manufacturing and deployment timelines.
By combining artificial intelligence with decades of nuclear science and engineering expertise, Prometheus aims to help make nuclear technology faster and more efficient to design and deploy. Working closely with industry is central to that mission, helping translate research advances into technologies that can strengthen U.S. nuclear capabilities, support growing electricity demand and contribute to economic growth.
Find out more about Argonne’s role supporting the DOE’s Genesis Mission ►► anl.gov/genesis-mission/projects/prometheus
Still haven't subscribed to Argonne National Laboratory on YouTube? ►► bit.ly/2Vyzwvm
Join us on Facebook ► bit.ly/ArgonneFacebook
Follow us on X ► bit.ly/ArgonneTwitter
We’re on Instagram ► bit.ly/ArgonneInstagram
Connect with us on LinkedIn ► bit.ly/ArgonneLinkedIn
ABOUT ARGONNE
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFICE OF SCIENCE
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit the Office of Science website.
Argonne National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary science and engineering research center where scientists and engineers pioneer breakthroughs that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. In this video, senior nuclear engineer Rick Vilim discusses Prometheus, an Argonne-led project under DOE’s Genesis Mission that combines artificial intelligence with advanced nuclear expertise to accelerate the design and deployment of nuclear reactors.
As demand for electricity grows, deploying new nuclear power at the pace and scale needed to help meet the nation’s energy needs remains a significant challenge. Nuclear projects involve complex design, licensing, manufacturing, construction and operating processes, with critical information often passing among many people and systems. These bottlenecks can slow decision-making and make it difficult to carry knowledge and lessons learned from one project into the next.
To address these challenges, Prometheus is developing an AI-enabled platform designed to make information and expertise more accessible throughout the nuclear reactor lifecycle. AI agents could help engineering teams share design changes, support licensing reviews using previous regulatory information, monitor construction and manufacturing, and assist with routine plant operations. Rather than removing people from the process, Prometheus keeps humans in the loop while using AI to help experts work more efficiently and make informed decisions faster.
The Argonne-led team includes national laboratories, universities and industry partners working together to move advances in AI-enabled nuclear engineering toward real-world applications. The project has already demonstrated AI control of a simulated reactor and installed AI-designed hardware in an active test reactor, while pursuing ambitious goals for reducing design, licensing, manufacturing and deployment timelines.
By combining artificial intelligence with decades of nuclear science and engineering expertise, Prometheus aims to help make nuclear technology faster and more efficient to design and deploy. Working closely with industry is central to that mission, helping translate research advances into technologies that can strengthen U.S. nuclear capabilities, support growing electricity demand and contribute to economic growth.
Find out more about Argonne’s role supporting the DOE’s Genesis Mission ►► anl.gov/genesis-mission/projects/prometheus
Still haven't subscribed to Argonne National Laboratory on YouTube? ►► bit.ly/2Vyzwvm
Join us on Facebook ► bit.ly/ArgonneFacebook
Follow us on X ► bit.ly/ArgonneTwitter
We’re on Instagram ► bit.ly/ArgonneInstagram
Connect with us on LinkedIn ► bit.ly/ArgonneLinkedIn
ABOUT ARGONNE
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFICE OF SCIENCE
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit the Office of Science website.
