AI and New Nuclear Technologies Take Centre Stage at IAEA Safeguards Symposium

IAEA safeguards play an essential role in preventing the misuse of nuclear materials by independently verifying that countries meet their commitments to peaceful nuclear activities.

Nearly 1,000 experts, policymakers and industry representatives from more than 100 countries and 20 international organisations have gathered in Vienna and online for a major international meeting focused on strengthening global nuclear safeguards. Organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the 15th Symposium on International Safeguards brings together specialists to examine how emerging technologies, international cooperation and innovative verification methods can help ensure nuclear materials remain dedicated to peaceful activities. The discussions come at a time when expanding nuclear energy programmes, changing geopolitical conditions and rapid technological developments are creating new demands on international nuclear verification systems.

The event, titled Innovation and Resilience in a Changing World – Safeguards as a Shared Responsibility, provides an international platform for exchanging scientific research, discussing operational challenges and strengthening partnerships among organisations involved in nuclear oversight. Held every four years, the symposium allows governments, regulators, researchers and nuclear industry representatives to explore practical solutions for maintaining credible and effective safeguards. Participants are examining how verification systems can keep pace with changing nuclear technologies and increasing responsibilities without compromising the reliability of international monitoring.

IAEA safeguards play an essential role in preventing the misuse of nuclear materials by independently verifying that countries meet their commitments to peaceful nuclear activities. Through inspections, monitoring equipment, technical assessments and other verification measures, the agency provides international assurances that nuclear materials are not diverted toward nuclear weapons. Maintaining confidence in this system has become increasingly important as more countries explore nuclear energy applications and technological changes introduce new challenges for inspectors and regulatory institutions.

Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies Shape Nuclear Verification

Technological innovation is a major focus of the symposium, with participants exploring how artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced data analytics could strengthen nuclear verification activities. These technologies offer opportunities to process growing volumes of safeguards information, identify unusual patterns and support inspectors in assessing nuclear facilities and materials. Experts are examining how new analytical tools can improve efficiency and support reliable decision-making as the number and complexity of facilities requiring verification increase.

The symposium will feature approximately 300 scientific papers addressing research developments and practical challenges affecting international safeguards. Topics include verification approaches for emerging nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors and commercial nuclear shipping, alongside methods for managing expanding nuclear material inventories. Discussions also consider how nuclear facilities and technologies can incorporate safeguards requirements during their design stages, potentially making future verification activities more effective.

Massimo Aparo, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards, highlighted the importance of innovation in responding to the changing global nuclear environment. He explained that technological progress, rising interest in nuclear applications and growing safety and security risks are challenging the resilience of safeguards operations. The symposium encourages experts from nuclear and non-nuclear sectors to exchange ideas that could improve verification performance and strengthen the ability of safeguards systems to respond to future demands.

Global Cooperation Becomes Essential for Resilient Nuclear Safeguards

The symposium is organised around three central themes: innovation, resilience and safeguards as a shared responsibility among countries and institutions. IAEA officials emphasised that effective verification depends on cooperation between policymakers, diplomats, regulators, industry representatives, researchers, technology specialists and safeguards professionals. This collective approach is particularly important as changing geopolitical circumstances and operational risks create new difficulties for international inspection activities.

The opening plenary brought together three specialists who examined the symposium's central themes from different professional perspectives. Roberto Verganti of the Stockholm School of Economics discussed innovation, Margaret Heffernan of the University of Bath addressed resilience, and Francesca Giovannini of Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center explored shared responsibility in safeguards. A moderated discussion involving the speakers and Massimo Aparo examined how international institutions can adapt to current challenges and strengthen cooperation across the nuclear verification community.

The IAEA also presented progress on priorities identified during the previous symposium in 2022, including stronger engagement with industry and regulators on integrating safeguards into nuclear technology design. Other achievements include completion of the first regular cycle of the Comprehensive Capacity-Building Initiative for IAEA Safeguards and SSACs and SRAs (COMPASS), alongside continued improvements to inspection equipment used in the field. These developments reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen national safeguards capabilities and provide inspectors with tools needed to carry out effective verification activities.

New Training and Career Opportunities Support the Next Generation of Inspectors

For the first time, the international symposium includes dedicated Training Days, scheduled from 9 to 13 November 2026, giving participants additional opportunities to develop practical knowledge of nuclear safeguards. The sessions cover subjects ranging from international legal frameworks to verification techniques, helping professionals understand the principles and procedures used to monitor nuclear materials. Participants can engage directly with IAEA specialists and explore how safeguards methods are applied in different operational settings.

The programme also highlights employment and professional development opportunities within the international nuclear verification community. A dedicated plenary session on 11 November, titled The People of Safeguards: Perspectives from Across the Community, will introduce participants to career pathways and professional responsibilities across international organisations, government agencies, businesses and non-governmental institutions. A speed mentoring event will provide additional opportunities for participants to connect with experienced IAEA specialists and senior safeguards professionals.

Selected plenary sessions will be livestreamed through the IAEA website, allowing a wider international audience to follow discussions on nuclear verification and professional development. The symposium's research exchanges, technical demonstrations and training activities are intended to strengthen the expertise and partnerships needed to maintain effective international safeguards. As nuclear technologies continue to evolve, cooperation between governments, scientific institutions and industry will remain essential for ensuring nuclear materials are used exclusively for peaceful purposes.