The AI–Energy Nexus: Insights from Purdue Professor
Distinguished Purdue University Professor Lefteri H. Tsoukalas delivered a guest lecture on “The AI–Energy Nexus,” hosted by NU PI “National Laboratory Astana” Advanced Sensors Laboratory.
With more than 300 scientific publications and several influential textbooks, Professor Tsoukalas is widely recognized as a leading authority in energy and AI research. He is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society and a recipient of the Humboldt Prize – Germany’s highest honor for international scientists.
The event attracted faculty, researchers, and graduate students eager to learn about cutting-edge developments at the intersection of AI and energy. In his talk, Professor Tsoukalas, founding director of Purdue’s Center for Intelligent Energy Systems (CiENS), shared insights from over three decades of pioneering work on AI/ML applications in critical infrastructure. He highlighted how AI is reshaping nuclear energy systems, smart grids, and sensor-driven diagnostics, underscoring its transformative potential for sustainable and resilient energy solutions.
One of the session’s highlights was Purdue’s PUR-1 reactor—the first all-digital instrumentation and control system in the U.S., which exemplifies how AI-enabled systems can enhance safety, efficiency, and innovation in nuclear technology.
The lecture was part of a broader visit that included a Round Table with NU and NLA leadership to explore opportunities for collaborative research in AI, energy systems, and advanced sensor technologies. The discussions concluded with an agreement to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focusing on AI-driven nuclear energy solutions, advanced gas sensor technologies, AI applications in energy and sensing, and materials science for next-generation energy systems.
