This week on the Beyond The Billions, Forbes Deputy Editor Giacomo Tognini talks with Forbes reporter Phoebe Liu to explore how AI’s massive power demands are revitalizing the nuclear energy industry. This has sparked a funding boom for advanced, smaller reactors, with investors pouring billions into startups like Oklo—valued at $16B with no revenue—to power next-gen data centers. With deregulation and Trump administration deadlines, the episode questions if these companies can meet the energy gap or if a bubble is forming, examining how the AI race is reshaping global power.
00:00 This Week In Billionaires…
02:47 Why Tech’s Massive Power Demands Are Bringing Back Nuclear
05:16 Are Smaller, Advanced Reactors Finally Safe Enough For Investors?
08:04 Trump’s July Deadline: Is The US Ready To Win the New Nuclear Race?
18:04 The Hidden Roadblock: Why Specialized Fuel—Not Regulation—Could Slow Down the Boom
To read more about how AI is ushering in a new age: https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2025/11/21/how-ai-is-ushering-in-a-new-nuclear-age/
To read more about Elon Musk becoming the first person ever worth $600 billion: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattdurot/2025/12/15/elon-musk-just-became-the-first-person-ever-worth-600-billion/
To read more about James Cameron becoming a billionaire: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattcraig/2025/12/14/james-cameron-is-now-a-billionaire/
To read more about MacKenzie Scott becoming the third most generous philanthropist: https://www.forbes.com/sites/phoebeliu/2025/12/11/mackenzie-scotts-latest-gifts-make-her-americas-third-most-generous-philanthropist/
Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1
Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:
https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript
Stay Connected
Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com
Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes
More From Forbes: http://forbes.com
Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success.
