WSJ Tech News Briefing TNB Tech Minute: Meta Announces Nuclear Plan to Power Its AI Ambitions
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Jan 9, 2026 Join Christoph Beck, an executive leader at Ecolab with a focus on sustainability and water practices, as he discusses groundbreaking innovations in data centers. He highlights how high-tech facilities are adopting circular and water-saving strategies to meet AI energy demands. The conversation also dives into Meta's significant nuclear power agreements and the implications of xAI's Grok chatbot amid child-safety concerns. Plus, learn about Taiwan's booming AI-driven exports in the semiconductor sector.
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Meta Backs Nuclear To Power AI Data Centers
- Meta is becoming an anchor customer for new and existing U.S. nuclear power to meet huge AI electricity needs.
- The company expects first new reactors by about 2030 and 2032 to support its data centers.
Partnerships And Strategic Investment Over Details
- Meta said it would back new reactor projects with TerraPower and Oklo and expand output with Vistra.
- Financial details were not disclosed, highlighting long-term strategic planning over short-term transparency.
Grok's Image-Edit Feature Sparks Safety Backlash
- xAI's Grok opened image editing via text prompts and then limited generation to paying subscribers after safety concerns.
- Child-safety watchdogs and regulators flagged sexualized photo edits, including of children, prompting the change.