A representative from the Institute of Physics of Materials of the Czech Academy of Sciences attended an expert meeting in Prague dedicated to the development of small modular reactors and the integration of artificial intelligence into the energy sector.
On June 4th, 2026, the expert conference titled „The very near future of nuclear energy: from SMRs to AI“ was held at the French Residence in Prague. The event was opened by distinguished guests, including the French Ambassador Stéphane Crouzat and the Czech Minister of the Environment, Igor Červený.
The primary focus of the discussions was the future of energy in the Czech Republic and Europe, with a specific emphasis on:
- Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Experts discussed technological innovations and the potential for utilizing these reactors for decarbonized heat production, for example, within urban district heating systems.
- The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI): A roundtable discussion was dedicated to the contributions of digital technologies and AI in optimizing nuclear programs and enhancing their operational efficiency.
The Institute of Physics of Materials CAS (IPM) was represented at this conference by Dr. Ivo Kuběna. The objective of his participation was to actively engage in expert debates and establish strategic contacts with representatives from other research institutes, universities, and key industrial players, such as ČEZ, SÚJB, and ÚJV Řež.
This international platform provided an opportunity to identify possibilities for future collaboration and the integration of materials research into the evolving European nuclear ecosystem, which is consistent with long-term efforts to deepen Czech-French scientific ties.
