The future isn’t nuclear — it’s distributed and shared
Nuclear might be Big Tech’s bet, but distribution is our power play.
Big Tech is powering their growing data centers, and they’re going big. Google and Microsoft are investing billions in nuclear power, hoping massive plants can keep up with the energy demands of AI. But why do the answers always seem so extreme — expensive, centralized, and exclusive?
The nuclear gamble
The energy debate is heating up (quite literally if you think of global warming), and nuclear power is being pitched as the answer to our growing technology energy needs. Sure, nuclear has low carbon emissions once it’s up and running, so it sounds like a no-brainer for sustainable energy. But before we jump on the nuclear bandwagon, let’s dig a little deeper. There’s a better way — one that’s safer and way more accessible: distributed, distributed computing.
Nuclear power fans tout its strengths: low greenhouse gas emissions during operation and a steady, reliable energy source. Sounds great given the urgency to reduce carbon emissions. But this shiny image hides some big problems.
New nuclear power plants aren’t cheap or fast to build. They can take 10 to 15 years to get up and running, with costs often skyrocketing along the way. Take the Vogtle plant in Georgia, USA — it’s been under construction for 14 years, and the cost has soared past $30 billion, way over budget.
Then there’s the waste issue. Nuclear waste stays radioactive for thousands of years, and we still don’t have a solid plan for storing it safely. And let’s not forget the accidents — rare but devastating. Chernobyl and Fukushima remind us that when things go wrong, they go very wrong.
But Big Tech plays by its own rules, and both Microsoft and Google have signed big deals to bring nuclear energy into their operations. Google partnered with Kairos Power to use small modular reactors (SMRs), while Microsoft signed a long-term agreement with Constellation Energy to buy power from the revived Three Mile Island nuclear plant. These moves might sound cutting-edge but point to a centralized, high-risk energy strategy. Google’s partnership involves building multiple SMRs by 2035, while Microsoft’s deal aims to revive Three Mile Island. By going nuclear, these companies choose a model that needs heavy infrastructure, comes with big risks, and ultimately serves the few rather than the many.
What is distributed computing, and why should you care?
Distributed computing flips the traditional energy model on its head. Instead of relying on big, centralized data centers, distributed computing uses the unused processing power of everyday devices like laptops, desktops, and even smartphones. This power is pooled across a network to do complex calculations, process data, or run applications.
Think of it like carpooling for computing power. Instead of everyone driving their own car, distributed computing lets everyone share the ride, making the system more efficient and less wasteful. By using what we already have, we don’t need new, expensive infrastructure. A distributed computing network can be set up in weeks — not decades — and the benefits are immediate.
Unlike the nuclear path taken by companies like Microsoft and Google, distributed computing is decentralized and community-driven. This means anyone can join and contribute to projects, whether it’s scientific research or AI development. You don’t have to wait for corporate approval or government permission. It’s a collaborative approach for everyone — not just tech giants.
Two futures: centralized vs. distributed power
Nuclear power is centralized. You build a big plant, generate energy at one point, and distribute it outwards. When it works, it’s fine. But when it fails, the fallout — literal or figurative — affects everyone.
Distributed computing is decentralized by design. It doesn’t rely on one source. The power and responsibility are spread across many devices, so the system is more resilient. If one device fails, others can pick up the slack. This reduces risk and prevents the catastrophic failures we see with traditional power plants and data centers. It’s based on cooperation, not competition, which is the opposite of Big Tech’s usual approach.
The push by big corporations to own the energy supply through nuclear deals feels a lot like a grab for resources that should be shared — kind of like how they already dominate cloud computing. But distributed computing levels the playing field. It’s open, flexible, and can grow as more people join in.
Why distributed computing is the better solution today
Here’s why distributed computing beats nuclear:
- It uses what we already have: No new build is required.
- It scales as more people join in: No decade-long wait.
- It’s resilient: No single point of failure.
Distributed computing also wins on environmental impact. We don’t need big construction projects or toxic waste. The carbon footprint is much smaller. Instead of producing materials that will be hazardous for thousands of years, we produce minimal extra energy. Devices that are already running can contribute spare power — no new energy sources needed.
Scalability is another big win. As demand grows, the network can grow too. It’s as easy as adding more devices or more people. Take community projects like SETI@home, which used idle home computers to analyze radio signals from space. That project ended in 2020, but it showed how distributed computing can make a real difference through collective effort.
And distributed computing can meet the demand of AI without nuclear power deals. As AI grows, so does the demand for computing power. By tapping into the unused capacity of millions of devices, we can power future tech sustainably and inclusively. It’s a model that grows with the tech, not one that locks us into old, risky energy sources.
We can build a shared future together
With so much uncertainty around us, betting on nuclear energy feels like a gamble. While Big Tech pushes for big, centralized solutions, distributed computing is the flexible, resilient, and community-driven path. It’s a future we can all build — not one that’s controlled by a few tech giants and a ticking time bomb of radioactive waste.
By distributing computing, we’re part of a new way to distribute energy — taking back power from the big players and turning it into something that benefits us all. Imagine a world where anyone can contribute to solving big problems — like climate modeling or medical research — just by sharing the computing power they already have.
Instead of betting on big, high-risk nuclear power, why not choose a solution we can all contribute to? Look into local distributed computing initiatives, join a project like SETI@home, or check out our own distributed computing solution.
The future of energy isn’t about big reactors. It’s about small actions adding up to make a big difference.
