Sam Altman Takes Nuclear Energy Startup Oklo Public, Aims for Energy at Planetary Scales

Sam Altman, founder of OpenAI, has announced that Oklo, a startup focused on "nuclear microreactors," will go public in 2024 via a SPAC. Oklo aims to replicate nuclear fission in smaller reactors, with the goal of providing widely affordable clean energy. The company plans to use the $500 million raised from the public offering to build its first microreactor. Oklo envisions its technology being used in smaller power plants, generating nuclear power without creating nuclear waste. Potential customers include data centers, military bases, and companies seeking decarbonization solutions. Altman's investments in nuclear energy, including Helion, reflect his interest in both nuclear fusion and fission as key components of a clean energy future. Oklo CEO Jacob DeWitte believes the company could provide "energy at planetary scales for a billion-plus years."