The artificial intelligence boom was the primary driver of a recently signed nuclear energy agreement between Bahrain and the US, according to a Middle East technology expert.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani signed on Wednesday a civil nuclear co-operation agreement − and a major part of the deal involves a commitment to the development of small modular reactors.
“This deal positions Bahrain to become an emerging AI power, leveraging SMR inroads and its legacy as one of the Gulf’s earliest technology pioneers,” said Mohammed Soliman, director of the strategic technology programme at the Washington-based Middle East Institute think tank.
Over the past decade, as the AI boom has placed strain on energy grids, enthusiasm for SMRs − compact and versatile reactors that can be built and put on line at a quicker pace than conventional nuclear reactors − has increased significantly.
Mr Soliman said that while most media coverage of the nuclear co-operation agreement framed it in the context of energy diversification, the bigger story was broader technological and industrial pivot throughout the Arabian Gulf.
“Energy is about enabling sovereign AI systems and digital exports,” he said. “That shift from oil to AI is what gives this announcement its strategic weight.”
While there has been a significant surge in SMR research and commitments from various entities in the public and private sectors around the world, most are still in the lengthy regulatory review and licensing stage.
However, Mr Soliman said that SMRs are finally ready to come to fruition, and could have significant presence throughout the Middle East.
“The technology has matured considerably, especially with new reactor designs and private-sector players accelerating deployment,” he said.
Governments throughout the Middle East, he added, have an appetite for placing long-term infrastructure bets and have centralised planning that make the region “one of the most likely where SMRs can reach meaningful scale”.
The infrastructure of the data centres that power AI takes more energy than conventional computing.
Most estimates show that a query to ChatGPT uses 10 times more energy than a similar search on Google.
In the US, the need to plug the energy gap created by AI has spurred renewed interest and public support for nuclear reactors.
That pattern of nuclear enthusiasm has been echoed in many parts of the world, including the Middle East, where several countries are hoping to play a major role in AI development.
“This Nuclear Co-operation Memorandum of Understanding represents an important step towards deepening a robust civil nuclear partnership between the US and Bahrain,” said Ann Ganzer, US deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation.
She added that the agreement builds on both countries' collaboration through something called First – the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology.
Mr Al Zayani echoed those sentiments, saying that the country looks forward to the learning from the US's “world-leading technology and expertise in this field”.
“There is no doubt that co-operation on nuclear technology will be a vital contributor to our shared responsibility and prosperity in the years ahead,” he added.
Spec%20sheet
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
About%20My%20Father
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The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
More coverage from the Future Forum
THREE
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
Movie: Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster 3
Producer: JAR Films
Director: Tigmanshu Dhulia
Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Jimmy Sheirgill, Mahie Gill, Chitrangda Singh, Kabir Bedi
Rating: 3 star
England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5