Quick Buzz Feed
The NEA Working Group on New Technologies (WGNT) organised a workshop on 25-26 March 2026 to advance collective understanding of how artificial intelligence (AI) can support regulatory oversight and internal processes within nuclear regulatory bodies.
The NEA Working Group on New Technologies (WGNT) hosted a workshop on 25-26 March 2026, bringing together nuclear regulators and AI experts from 15 NEA member countries and international organizations. The event aimed to enhance collective understanding of AI's role in supporting regulatory oversight and internal processes within the nuclear sector.
Participants presented case studies of AI tools already in use or under development, including AI for summarizing documents, enhancing simulations, and information retrieval from regulatory documents. The workshop facilitated open discussions on practical lessons learned, various use cases, and methods for identifying valuable AI applications.
A significant takeaway was the necessity to establish a comprehensive AI framework within regulatory bodies. This framework should include clear procedures and guidance to govern the appropriate and safe use of artificial intelligence in regulatory functions.
The discussions highlighted that AI tasks and projects yield the best results when they are well-scoped. Additionally, it was emphasized that clear success criteria are crucial for both AI tools and overall AI projects to ensure their effectiveness and measure their impact.
Concerns regarding cybersecurity, data sovereignty, and data protection were addressed. Participants identified on-premise models and tools as a potential solution to mitigate these issues, offering greater control over sensitive data and infrastructure.
Despite the advancements in AI, the workshop underscored the enduring importance of human expertise. It was concluded that human involvement remains essential for informed decision-making and for effectively leveraging the outputs generated by AI tools.
Mr. Eetu Ahonen, Vice-Chair for the WGNT, emphasized the significant value of international collaboration. He noted that while regulators approach AI from diverse perspectives, their experiences with implementation, data security challenges, and the need for human oversight are remarkably similar. Open sharing and mutual learning strengthen the collective ability to use AI responsibly and efficiently for nuclear safety.
The workshop was a key activity of the NEA Working Group on New Technologies (WGNT), which serves as a platform for regulators and technical support organizations to exchange information on regulating the life cycle of new technologies. The group aims to foster common understanding and develop common regulatory positions, with the NEA planning to publish a brochure detailing the workshop’s key findings, challenges, and good practices for AI in regulation.