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Emily Sharrer of JSA Interviews Mark Gusakov and Brian Smith

·17 min·1 clip

A nuclear lab CTO and a digital infrastructure CEO explain why AI's power demands are forcing their industries to collaborate.

The episode is a live interview from Metro Connect 2026, hosted by Emily Sharrer. She introduces Brian Smith, CTO for Nuclear Science and Technology at Idaho National Laboratory, and Mark Gusakov, CEO of the Digital Infrastructure Alliance. Brian explains that Idaho National Lab is one of 17 Department of Energy labs, focusing on nuclear energy research and how it can power AI and digital infrastructure. Mark describes the Digital Infrastructure Alliance's mission to unite the industry and dispel false perceptions of competition. They discuss how they were introduced by mutual friend Bill Picard. Brian highlights that ChatGPT's November 2022 launch was a watershed moment, creating a new market catalyst for nuclear technologies to power AI. Mark shares his childhood exposure to nuclear through the West Valley Demonstration Project. They talk about demystifying nuclear perceptions, such as glowing green goo myths. The guests mention their panel at Metro Connect on powering the AI revolution. Mark contrasts the nuclear industry's focus on AI use cases, like code-writing, with the digital infrastructure industry's focus on deployment. Brian mentions the Genesis mission using AI to accelerate nuclear technology development. They announce a Global Nuclear Summit at Data Cloud Global in Cannes, with closed-door and public sessions. Brian notes the U.S. has only deployed two commercial nuclear facilities in 20 years but has continued research. He emphasizes that decades of research have prepared the U.S. for advanced nuclear deployment. The episode concludes with thanks to the viewers.

As heard by us

A focused Metro Connect 2026 discussion about AI power demand, data centers, and advanced nuclear.

Metro Connect 2026 presents a tight conversation about digital infrastructure and advanced nuclear, with Brian Smith of Idaho National Laboratory and Mark Gusikoff of the Digital Infrastructure Alliance connecting lab research, industry reach, and the push to bring advanced…

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Why you'd press play

You want a front-row seat at Metro Connect 2026 as digital infrastructure leaders talk through how AI power demand is colliding with advanced nuclear.

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