The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has been awarded over £260,000 from the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) AI Capability Fund to help shape the safe and secure deployment of artificial intelligence within nuclear installations. The project, running from September 2025 to March 2026, will focus on how AI can be applied in computer vision and data classification, using regulatory sandboxing to test and refine its role in the sector.
ONR’s approach will allow regulators and industry to come together and explore how innovative technology can be safely applied to nuclear operations. The funding – £261,028 in total – was awarded following a competitive process overseen by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). This initiative forms part of the government’s wider mission to drive growth and efficiency in key industries such as nuclear energy.
Two key test cases have already been highlighted. The first is the use of AI in non-destructive testing, particularly the interpretation of weld radiographs, which is critical in both new build projects and operating facilities. The second is AI-driven nuclear waste characterisation, where machine learning could help determine waste properties and improve the sorting and segregation of intermediate-level from low-level waste. This has the potential to transform efficiency in decommissioning and waste management.
However, ONR has stressed it is open to other ideas that align with the project’s remit.
Paolo Picca, ONR’s Innovation Lead, said: “We are delighted to have been granted funding for this project, which will build on our pioneering AI nuclear regulatory sandboxing work. It will provide the UK nuclear industry with the opportunity to come together and discuss key enablers of innovation, including mindset changes, and how our regulation can support the implementation of innovative solutions. The project will be delivered alongside the Environment Agency; we also plan to work with other regulators, including those outside the nuclear sector, to learn from their experience and help drive consistency across industries.”
Peter Kyle, DSIT Science and Technology Secretary, added: “This isn't about cutting safety corners - it's about smart regulation. Whether approving clean energy projects faster to cut bills or clearing paths for life-saving medical devices, we're making regulators champions of British innovation."
At Millbank, we find this development particularly exciting. The integration of AI into nuclear regulation is a natural progression in a sector that has always demanded innovation balanced with safety. It also highlights the increasing demand for highly skilled professionals who can bridge the gap between advanced technology and regulated industries.
Roles in this field are wide-ranging. As AI begins to influence non-destructive testing, there will be demand for engineers with expertise in radiography, welding inspection, and data analysis. In waste characterisation, nuclear engineers, waste management specialists, and AI data scientists will all play a part. Other opportunities will emerge for project managers, regulatory compliance specialists, and systems engineers who can ensure AI is deployed safely and effectively within the nuclear framework.
Millbank has long worked with clients across nuclear, power generation, and advanced engineering, helping to connect skilled individuals with organisations driving innovation. Developments such as ONR’s AI sandboxing project are a clear signal that the sector is moving into a new era, and we are keen to support both businesses and professionals as this journey unfolds.
Source: www.onr.org.uk ‘ONR awarded quarter of a million pounds to develop AI capability in nuclear regulation’
