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Time Is Money

Aug 4, 2024 • 6 min read

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Kairos Power Nuclear Reactor
Microsoft AI

Week Recap:

Israel has conducted airstrikes that killed Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, in Tehran, Iran, and Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander, in Beirut, Lebanon. Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, was killed in Tehran, Iran. In Beirut, Lebanon, Israel's military targeted Fuad Shukr, a senior commander of Hezbollah, with an airstrike. Shukr, acting Chief of Staff and a high-ranking official within Hezbollah, was a key military strategist. Hezbollah confirmed that Shukr was in the targeted building but has not confirmed his death, stating that his fate remains uncertain as workers continue to clear the rubble.
After the election on Sunday, significant events have unfolded in Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner of the presidential election held on July 28, 2024, securing 51% of the vote against opposition candidate Edmundo González, who received 44%. However, the opposition claims that González actually won with 70% of the vote. The National Electoral Council, controlled by Maduro loyalists, has yet to release detailed voting tallies, which has fueled allegations of electoral fraud.
The White House has expressed support for open-source artificial intelligence technology, indicating in a report on Tuesday that there is no current need for restrictions on companies making key components of their AI systems widely available. In an executive order on AI last year, President Joe Biden directed the U.S. Commerce Department to consult experts and provide recommendations by July on managing the potential benefits and risks of open models.
On July 27, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center at 1:45 a.m. EST, carrying 23 Starlink satellites into orbit. Following this, on July 28, SpaceX executed two consecutive Starlink missions. The first launch occurred at 1:09 a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, successfully deploying 23 Starlink satellites. The second launch took place at 5:22 a.m. EST from Vandenberg Space Force Base, releasing 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities. Most recently, on August 1, at 12:19 a.m. EST, SpaceX launched the Starlink Group 10-6 mission from Kennedy Space Center.
The European Union's AI Act, which became effective on August 1, 2024, introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence applications across EU member states. The Act categorizes AI applications into three risk-based tiers, namely low/no risk, high risk, and limited risk. The majority of AI applications are deemed low or no risk and are thus exempt from regulation. High-risk applications, which include AI technologies like biometrics, facial recognition, and AI used in critical sectors such as healthcare and education, must adhere to stringent risk management and quality control measures.

Kairos Power Nuclear Reactor:

Kairos Power has started building the Hermes Low-Power demonstration reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Hermes is the first fourth-generation nuclear reactor approved for construction by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the first non-light-water reactor permitted in the US in over 50 years. It is expected to be operational by 2027, with support from the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, which is investing up to $303 million in its development.
The Hermes reactor uses a TRISO fuel pebble bed design with molten fluoride salt coolant to demonstrate affordable and clean heat production. Kairos Power is partnering with Los Alamos National Laboratory to produce the TRISO pebble fuel and has a cooperative agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority for engineering, operations, and licensing support.
The company has completed molten salt testing on its first Engineering Test Unit (ETU) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is building additional ETUs to refine the design and operation of Hermes. The Hermes reactor stands out because it uses molten fluoride salt as a coolant, which has excellent chemical stability and high heat transfer capabilities. This design ensures passive safety features, meaning the reactor can remain safe without relying on electricity for emergency cooling.
The fully ceramic fuel maintains structural integrity even at high temperatures, providing large safety margins. With an output of 140 MWe and a net efficiency of 45%, the Hermes reactor represents a significant advancement in nuclear technology. This development coincides with global trends, such as China expanding its fourth-generation nuclear power plant, emphasizing the shift towards more advanced and safer nuclear reactors.

Microsoft AI:

Microsoft is currently the leader in AI technology among major companies, excelling in areas such as chatbots and cloud AI. Through continuous innovation and significant investments, Microsoft has integrated advanced AI systems into its products and services, including Windows and Azure. Major corporations such as AT&T, Coca-Cola, Fidelity, Volvo, Walmart, and Apple rely on Microsoft's AI solutions to enhance their operations and customer experiences.
TikTok, in particular, has become a significant customer, spending $20 million monthly on OpenAI models through Microsoft. In the competitive AI landscape, other key players include Meta, Anthropic, Google, and X. Microsoft holds a significant stake in OpenAI and provides them with access to its state-of-the-art data centers. This strategic partnership enhances Microsoft's AI offerings and reinforces its leadership position in the AI technology landscape.

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