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     For decades, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved rapidly. It has become increasingly sophisticated and capable of solving ever more complex problems. AI is deployed in sectors as diverse as manufacturing, transportation, finance, education and healthcare. It also has the potential to advance the development of nuclear applications, science and technology. Harnessing its capability in the nuclear field can positively contribute to addressing some of today’s most pressing challenges, from food security to climate change.
     Here is a list of seven ways that AI has and will continue to benefit the peaceful application of nuclear technology. These are discussed in more detail in a new IAEA publication titled Artificial Intelligence for Accelerating Nuclear Applications, Science and Technology.
Human health
     AI currently contributes to combating diseases. It is already being applied to support the diagnosis and treatment of cancer through enhanced image interpretation and precise tumor contouring. This enables more accurate treatment plans and adaptive radiotherapy. This allows the process to be tailored to the anatomical characteristics of the individual patient. The IAEA has recently launched a coordinated research project to explore this area.
     AI will also play an important part in the IAEA’s Zoonotic Disease Integration Action (ZODIAC) initiative to help experts better comprehend the impact of zoonotic diseases on human health and to predict, assess and contain future outbreaks of such diseases.
Food and Agriculture
    AI programs combined with nuclear technologies can help make food systems more sustainable and climate change resilient. Food and nutrition insecurity will also be addressed.
     Experts deploy AI to process and analyze data to increase crop yields, estimate soil moisture, and remediate radioactively contaminated land. AI is also used to detect and predict food fraud events and improve irrigation.
Water and the environment
Isotopic methods allow experts to study and track exactly how water moves through different stages of the hydrological cycle. This knowledge allows researchers to understand what transformations occur in this cycle due to climate change. Experts are already applying AI-based approaches to quickly analyze huge amounts of water-related isotopic data stored in global repositories. One such repository is the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation maintained by the IAEA and the World Meteorological Organization. Effective and efficient analysis of data with the assistance of AI increases the understanding of climate change and its impact on water availability across the globe.
Nuclear science and fusion research
     Artificial intelligence plays an increasingly important role in nuclear science. AI is used in data analysis, theoretical modeling and experimental design. This helps researchers to accelerate fundamental research in the realm of nuclear and data evaluation and compilation. This, in turn, advances technological innovation.
     A particular area that benefits from the application of AI tools is nuclear fusion research. AI has the ability to solve large and complex problems. AI can aid experiments and scientific discovery and help advance technological innovation. These applications of AI are spelled out in a new five-year IAEA coordinated research project aimed at accelerating fusion research and development.
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