MITEI’s annual research conference spotlights carbon utilization, AI and data-center impacts, nuclear revival
MIT Energy Initiative’s annual research conference (Energizing@MIT) on Sept. 22–23 gathered researchers, industry representatives, and entrepreneurs to discuss scaling carbon utilization, public trust and energy demand from artificial intelligence and data centers, quantum toolkits for critical applications, and progress in nuclear and storage technologies. Panels and startup showcases highlighted concrete pilots and commercialization efforts — from Three Mile Island Unit 1’s planned restart and EDF/GE Vernova work on reactors to AI tools for grid optimization and field pilots for lithium extraction and CO2‑derived materials.