Technical Meeting on Safety Considerations in the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Power Plants with a Focus on Human Factors Engineering and Instrumentation and Control Systems

Introduction

As artificial intelligence (AI) technology rapidly advances and becomes widely integrated into industries and our daily lives, the nuclear industry is also exploring the use of AI applications. To ensure that nuclear power continues to fulfil its significant role as a sustainable and reliable energy source, AI is being reviewed to enhance safety and reduce operational and maintenance costs in both existing and advanced nuclear power plants, including small modular reactors (SMR). However, AI has the potential to introduce new functions that were previously unimaginable, which may impact safety in unexpected ways. Therefore, the use of AI applications requires rigorous and comprehensive safety evaluations to ensure that they do not compromise the safety of nuclear power plants.

The nuclear industry has already adopted complex digital technologies, considering human factors with the development of related safety guidelines, such as the IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSG-39, Design of Instrumentation and Control Systems for Nuclear Power Plants, and SSG-51, Human Factors Engineering in the Design of Nuclear Power Plants. However, the practice of relying on proven technologies to ensure safety has presented challenges in keeping pace with rapidly advancing digital technology, particularly in developing safety guidelines with consensus from all Member States. As AI technology advances even faster than digital technology, there is an urgent need to discuss the safety implications of AI applications and revise safety guidelines accordingly.

In 2023, the IAEA held a Technical Meeting on the safety impact of AI in nuclear power plants, where multiple Member States emphasized the need for discussions on safety guidelines for AI applications. In response, the IAEA plans to consider the use of  AI in nuclear installation applications during  the next revision of the safety guides related to instrumentation and control systems and human factors engineering in in the design. Through this Technical Meeting, the IAEA aims to facilitate discussions and share diverse perspectives on the topic.

Objectives

The purpose of the event is to provide a platform for Member States to advance discussions on the safety implications of the use of artificial intelligence in the nuclear field, with a focus on the design of nuclear power plants. The event will aim to compile relevant information for future updates to Human Factors Engineering in the Design of Nuclear Power Plants (IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSG-51) and Design of Instrumentation and Control Systems for Nuclear Power Plants (IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSG-39).

Target Audience

Participation is solicited from professionals from nuclear power plant design organizations, operating organizations, nuclear regulatory authorities, technical support organizations and research institutions, as well as from international organizations, engaged in activities related to nuclear power plant safety and regulation. To ensure maximum effectiveness in the exchange of information, participants should be actively involved in the subject of the event.

Topics

Topics to be discussed will include:

• Safety benefits and challenges of using AI applications in current and advanced nuclear power plants, including SMRs.
  • • Experience of AI applications already implemented in nuclear power plant.
    • Feasible AI applications for nuclear power plant in the near future.
• Experience in evaluating the safety impact of AI applications and related challenges.
  • • Software verification and validation for the AI applications.
    • Data quality controls for reliable AI applications.
• Safety implication of the use of AI application in I&C system, particularly:
  • • Potential impact of AI applications on the performance of the safety functions;
    • Independence between safety components and AI applications;
    • Revisions required for SSG-39 due to applications of innovative technologies.
• Safety implication of the use of AI application in human factors engineering, particularly:
  • • Human and AI interfaces and safety responsibility;
    • Safety impact of the failure of AI based operator support function;
    • Impact of use of AI applications to human factors analyses, such as staffing;
    • Revisions required for SSG-51 due to applications of innovative technologies.

Participation

All persons wishing to participate in the event have to be designated by an IAEA Member State or should be members of organizations that have been invited to attend.

In order to be designated by an IAEA Member State or invited organization, participants are requested to submit their application via the InTouch+ platform (https://intouchplus.iaea.org) to the competent national authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA or National Atomic Energy Authority) or organization for onward transmission to the IAEA by 31 July 2025.

Presentations

The IAEA encourages participants to provide presentations on the work of their respective institutions that falls under the topics listed above.

Participants who wish to provide presentations are requested to submit an abstract of their work. The abstract will be reviewed as part of the selection process for presentations. The abstract should be in A4 page format, should extend to no more than two pages (including figures and tables), and should not exceed 1500 words. It should be sent electronically to Mr Kim Yung Goo, the Scientific Secretary of the event (see contact details below), not later than 31 August 2025. Authors will be notified of the acceptance of their proposed presentations by 30 September 2025.

In addition to the registration already submitted through the InTouch+ platform, participants have to submit the abstract to their competent national authority (e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA or National Atomic Energy Authority) or organization for onward transmission to the IAEA not later than 31 July 2025.