Trump's nuclear strategy takes shape as former Manhattan Project site powers up for AI race against China

Over 80 years after scientists of the ‘Manhattan Project’ harnessed the power of the atom to end World War II, the top-secret worksite has a new mission to help dominate AI before China does. 

The first phase of the United States' latest uranium enrichment facility opened in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in May. 

Uranium powers the nuclear reactors the AI data centers are turning to for reliable energy. They will use more energy as AI becomes more sophisticated, according to Orano USA CEO Jean-Luc Palayer.

"The United States can lead in AI, only if we can power AI," Palayer said. "Having that in mind and our new project on enrichment in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, we step forward on a new mission of equal consequence."

Numerous Tennessee lawmakers joined Palayer for a ribbon cutting of his new facility in Oak Ridge. 

The U.S. Energy Information Administratio...