AI can help get fusion from lab to energy grid by the 2030s – WEF (www.weforum.org)

Advancements in fusion energy, bolstered by artificial intelligence (AI), suggest that fusion could start contributing to energy grids as early as the 2030s. This shift marks a significant transition from theoretical research to practical deployment. A newly established partnership between Google DeepMind and Commonwealth Fusion Systems aims to address complex challenges in fusion physics, leveraging AI techniques such as deep reinforcement learning to stabilize plasma within tokamak reactors—devices essential for fusion energy generation. The implications of this collaboration are vital for both the energy landscape and the AI/ML community. AI's capabilities in optimizing conditions for fusion and managing heat loads are expected to accelerate the timeline for commercialization. As nations increasingly prioritize fusion as a strategic energy source with vast economic potential, the collaboration could influence global energy production, with predictions indicating that fusion power generation may soar from 2 terawatt-hours in 2035 to nearly 25,000 terawatt-hours by 2100. The fusion sector is attracting significant investment and interest, underscoring the role of innovative technologies like AI in transforming energy systems.