Securing Nuclear Materials and Facilities in the Age of AI

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of how artificial intelligence is transforming the security landscape for nuclear materials and facilities. Nuclear and radiation technologies for peaceful purposes offer significant benefits to countries, making their security essential. Nuclear energy provides emissions-free power for national development, while highly radioactive materials are used worldwide for diverse applications, from sterilizing medical supplies to cancer treatment and industrial processes. However, the risks of nuclear material theft and facility sabotage pose potentially catastrophic threats that must be addressed. Over the past 50 years, the discipline of nuclear security has evolved to ensure that nations can harness nuclear technologies while maintaining strong security safeguards. Artificial intelligence, with its rapid advancements, introduces both new risks and opportunities for nuclear security. On one hand, malicious actors can exploit emerging AI tools, including large language models (LLMs), to identify vulnerabilities within a nation's nuclear security infrastructure. On the other hand, AI presents significant advantages for nuclear security, particularly in automation, information management, and anomaly detection. Despite AI's growing relevance, nuclear security professionals—including policymakers and industry experts—often lack a deep understanding of its implications. This book bridges that gap, offering insights into the intersection of AI and nuclear security, highlighting challenges, and exploring potential solutions.