Advancing Regulatory Readiness through AIxpertise Project
The NEA recently conducted its second workshop for the AI Platform for Nuclear Research and Education (AIxpertise), uniting 67 representatives from 45 organisations across 16 NEA member countries and the European Commission. This virtual workshop, held on 21 January 2026, marked a significant milestone in finalising the programme of work and governance arrangements for this innovative NEA joint project.
Workshop Objectives and Stakeholder Engagement
The primary goal of the workshop was to consolidate feedback gathered since the first AIxpertise workshop in October 2025 and to facilitate a final review of the project’s scope, priorities, and legal framework. Participants included a diverse range of stakeholders such as regulatory authorities, technical support organisations (TSOs), research institutions, academia, and industry, underscoring the cross-cutting nature of artificial intelligence (AI) applications within the nuclear sector.
Core Discussion Areas
Discussions focused on the draft AIxpertise programme of work, structured around three key pillars:
- Data
- AI Algorithm Benchmarking
- Hands-On Training and Best Practices
The NEA Secretariat provided updates on task prioritisation and deliverables based on inputs from participating organisations.
Regulatory Perspectives
A dedicated session featured a panel of regulators and TSOs reviewing the AIxpertise programme from a regulatory angle. Contributions from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS, Germany), and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) highlighted common regulatory interests and challenges associated with AI deployment.
Panelists emphasised the importance of transparency, explainability, validation, and uncertainty quantification in AI-based methods. They also stressed the necessity for internationally coordinated approaches to benchmarking and developing best practices, further underscoring the relevance and timeliness of the AIxpertise project.
Insights from the International RegLab
The discussion drew on experiences from the NEA’s International RegLab joint project, which adopts a regulatory sandbox approach to innovation. Insights from RegLab activities illustrated how structured, scenario-based discussions can assist regulators, TSOs, and technology developers in exploring AI use cases in a controlled environment. This process aids in identifying evidence needs and clarifying regulatory expectations without pre-empting licensing decisions.
Complementary Initiatives and Training Focus
Participants reviewed how AIxpertise could enhance existing national and international initiatives by providing a neutral platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skills development. There was a particular focus on the value of trusted, well-documented datasets and internationally agreed benchmarks to support both research and regulatory assessments.
Emphasis was placed on hands-on training and the application of best practices as critical priorities for regulators within the AIxpertise programme of work.
Next Steps and Continued Engagement
The workshop concluded with discussions on the next steps, which include finalising the programme of work, confirming contributions by participating organisations, and preparing for the establishment of the AIxpertise Management Board. Participants expressed a strong interest in ongoing engagement as AIxpertise progresses toward implementation, recognising its potential to facilitate the responsible and safety-focused use of AI in nuclear research, education, and regulation.
Organisations interested in learning more about participation in the AIxpertise joint project are encouraged to reach out via email to aixpertise@oecd-nea.org.
