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Meta Is Going Nuclear to Fuel Its Energy-Hungry AI Ambitions

The tech giant's data centers will start slurping power from a nuclear plant in 2027.

Headshot of Tiffany Connors
Headshot of Tiffany Connors
Tiffany Connors Former Staff Editor
Tiffany Wendeln Connors was a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog.
Tiffany Connors
Meta AI and Met's apps

Meta is using nuclear power to fuel its AI.

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Facebook and Instagram parent Meta will soon start drawing on nuclear energy to support its AI efforts.

Meta has signed a 20-year contract with power giant Constellation Energy to keep an Illinois nuclear power plant running to power the tech giant's data centers. Nuclear energy from the Clinton Clean Energy Center will be used to support Meta's operations in the region starting in 2027, Meta said in an announcement Tuesday. 

"As we look toward our future energy needs in advancing AI, we recognize the immense value of nuclear power in providing reliable, firm electricity," Meta said.

Generative AI models, like Meta AI, require massive amounts of power to process and analyze data. On Monday, Meta announced that it's developing AI systems that may fully automate ad buying and creation.

Meta, which also owns WhatsApp, joins other tech titans that have zeroed in on nuclear projects to power their energy-hungry AI. Last fall, Amazon, Google and Microsoft each announced plans for nuclear projects.Â