ع
The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation received international recognition for its deployment of artificial intelligence to enhance oversight at the country’s nuclear power station. FANR secured the 2026 Innovation Award in the Artificial Intelligence category from the International Network on Innovation to Support Operating Nuclear Power Plants, a body established by the IAEA, according to Gulf News. The prize was conferred during the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna this week. The award highlights the Intelligent Operational Nuclear Safety platform, which integrates satellite remote sensing with machine learning to strengthen facility resilience against environmental hazards.
IONS was created through collaboration between FANR and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, Gulf News reported. The system generates predictive models of future climate scenarios to help monitor and mitigate risks at the Barakah plant, a development that builds on the regulator’s launch of the platform in July 2024. Such tools allow continuous assessment of environmental indicators without sole dependence on ground-based observations. FANR data indicates the approach supports both regulatory supervision and operational decision-making at the UAE’s sole nuclear facility.
Mohamed Al Harbi from FANR said the award reflects growing reliance on advanced technologies in the sector. “The recognition demonstrates the value of using artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to support nuclear safety,” Al Harbi stated. The platform’s algorithms process geospatial information to deliver near-real-time insights, an advancement that aligns with broader national priorities for technological adoption in regulation. This innovation forms part of FANR’s ongoing work to address climate impacts on critical infrastructure.
UAE membership in the IAEA dates back to 1976, marking 50 years of partnership during the current General Conference, Big News Network reported. Hamad Al Kaabi, FANR Director-General, leads the national delegation that includes officials from the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company. On the sidelines of the event, FANR signed a memorandum of understanding with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority to deepen regulatory ties, alongside a complementary arrangement with the IAEA’s Department of Nuclear Safety and Security.
An international judging panel comprising IAEA experts and ISOP steering committee members evaluated submissions based on originality, technical complexity, repeatability and real-world effect, an IAEA summary found. FANR’s entry was selected among four winning technologies across separate categories that included drones and digital information management tools. All recognised projects have been implemented at operational nuclear plants, demonstrating measurable improvements in safety and efficiency.
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant comprises four reactors with a total capacity of 5,600 megawatts, supplying roughly one quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs, according to Emirates Nuclear Energy Company figures. FANR carried out 36 inspections at the site throughout 2025 to verify adherence to safety, security and non-proliferation standards detailed in its latest annual report. The IONS platform augments these activities by focusing on emerging climate-related vulnerabilities through data-driven forecasting and analysis.
