The NEA held the second workshop of the AI Platform for Nuclear Research and Education (AIxpertise), bringing together 67 representatives from 45 organisations across 16 NEA member countries and the European Commission. The virtual workshop took place on 21 January 2026 and marked an important step toward finalising the programme of work and governance arrangements for this new NEA joint project.
The workshop aimed to consolidate feedback received since the first AIxpertise workshop in October 2025 and to support a final review of the project’s scope, priorities and legal framework. Participants represented a broad range of stakeholders, including regulatory authorities, technical support organisations (TSOs), research institutions, academia and industry, reflecting the cross-cutting nature of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the nuclear sector.
Discussions focused on the draft AIxpertise programme of work, which is structured around three pillars: data, AI algorithm benchmarking, and hands-on training and best practices. The NEA Secretariat presented updates to task prioritisation and deliverables based on inputs from participating organisations.
A dedicated session brought together a panel of regulators and TSOs to review the AIxpertise programme of work from a regulatory perspective. Contributions from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS, Germany) and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) highlighted shared regulatory interests and challenges related to AI deployment. Panellists emphasised the importance of transparency, explainability, validation and uncertainty quantification in AI-based methods, as well as the need for internationally co-ordinated approaches to benchmarking and best practice development, further highlighting the significance and timeliness of the AIxpertise project.
The panel discussion also drew on experience from the NEA’s International RegLab joint project, which applies a regulatory sandbox approach to innovation. Insights from RegLab activities illustrated how structured, scenario-based discussions can help regulators, TSOs and technology developers explore AI use cases in a controlled environment, identify evidence needs, and better understand regulatory expectations without pre-empting licensing decisions. Moreover, the synergy between the two joint projects and some of the findings of the RegLab workshops, which strongly support the AIxpertise programme of work, were discussed.
Participants reviewed how AIxpertise could complement existing national and international initiatives by providing a neutral platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and skills development. Particular emphasis was placed on the value of trusted, well-documented datasets and internationally agreed benchmarks to support both research and regulatory assessments. Hands-on training and the application of best practices, embedded within the AIxpertise programme of work, were underscored as critical priorities for regulators.
The workshop concluded with a discussion of next steps, including finalisation of the programme of work, confirmation of contributions by participating organisations, and preparation for the establishment of the AIxpertise Management Board. Participants expressed their interest in continuing engagement as AIxpertise moves toward implementation, recognising its potential to support the responsible and safety-focused use of AI in nuclear research, education and regulation.
The AIxpertise joint project remains open to additional interested parties. Organisations wishing to learn more about participation are invited to contact aixpertise@oecd-nea.org.
