Neutron Enterprise, powered by NVIDIA’s AI platform, enhances document search and retrieval efficiency at Diablo Canyon. It enables workers to navigate millions of pages of technical reports and Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations, some decades old, with greater speed and accuracy. By integrating advanced optical character recognition, retrieval-augmented generation, and AI-driven search technology, the tool reduces search times significantly, allowing staff to prioritize critical operational tasks.
Maureen Zalawick, PG&E’s vice president of business and technical services, explained: “We probably spend about 15,000 hours a year searching through our multiple databases and records and procedures. And that’s going to shrink that time way down.” She noted that the tool acts as a supportive “copilot” for data retrieval, not a decision-making system, with full deployment expected by the third quarter of 2025.
The adoption of AI at Diablo Canyon has sparked discussion about its broader implications. Tamara Kneese, from Data & Society’s climate, technology, and justice program, expressed caution: “The idea that you could just use generative AI for one specific kind of task at the nuclear power plant and then call it a day, I don’t really trust that it would stop there.” While acknowledging the value of AI for document management, she emphasized the need for careful oversight in nuclear settings.
Diablo Canyon, located in California, generates approximately 9% of the state’s electricity and 17% of its zero-carbon energy. The integration of Neutron Enterprise aims to streamline operations during the plant’s remaining years, supporting efficient management of its extensive documentation. PG&E emphasizes that the technology enhances worker productivity without altering safety protocols.
This initiative reflects a cautious step toward incorporating AI in the nuclear sector, with PG&E focusing on operational improvements. The company plans to monitor the tool’s performance and share updates as the deployment progresses, ensuring transparency in its application at Diablo Canyon.
