Caroline DeWitte

What gives you hope about the future of the planet?I think what gives me the most hope is seeing things become real. For a long time, so many conversations about advanced nuclear were about what might happen someday.

Now projects are moving into construction, teams are gaining experience and people are seeing what these technologies can make possible. That matters because every project teaches us something we can carry into the next one. At Oklo, taking our first reactor—the Groves Isotope Test Reactor—from greenfield to criticality in less than a year brought together people across engineering, construction and operations.

That experience helps lay the groundwork for future projects, including producing isotopes that support medicine. Across nuclear, there is also an opportunity to recover energy still contained in used fuel, turning something people think of as waste into a resource for more clean power.

What is encouraging is how many different people have a role in making this work. No one has all the answers. It takes people who are willing to learn from each other and figure out a path forward. As more teams build that experience, the tenth and hundredth projects start to feel much more achievable. That is how we get to meaningful impact.

Do you think AI will help or worsen the climate crisis?I think it can help, but it is not automatic. There is real potential in helping people solve difficult problems and accelerating scientific discovery. There is also a very practical question: Where is the power for AI going to come from? There is a big opportunity to support AI’s growth with clean, reliable energy from the beginning. Nuclear can be an important part of that because it provides around-the-clock, baseload power without emitting carbon during operation. That fits the need for dependable electricity while supporting the climate goals of companies investing in AI.

What interests me is how that demand can help get new clean energy built. One of the hardest parts is financing everything that has to happen before you can deliver electricity. A customer willing to make a long-term commitment or provide upfront payments can help a project secure fuel, order equipment and begin construction.

And the opportunity extends beyond AI. Homes, hospitals and manufacturers need reliable, affordable electricity too. If this investment helps us expand clean energy supply and build the experience to keep deploying it, the benefits can reach many more people.

Doing that well also means engaging communities early and following through on our environmental and safety responsibilities.