Oklo stock jumps as Nvidia AI deal fuels nuclear energy push

Oklo shares rose on Thursday after the company announced a partnership with Nvidia, marking its latest effort to build investor confidence as it advances toward commercial deployment of its nuclear technology.

The stock gained about 6.3% to $77.02 following the announcement.

The collaboration will see Oklo use Nvidia’s artificial intelligence infrastructure to support modeling, simulation, and research tied to nuclear fuel and reactor development.

The work will be carried out in partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory, where Oklo is already engaged in ongoing research efforts.

The initiative is aimed at accelerating development across nuclear infrastructure, including the use of AI in physics- and chemistry-based modeling, materials science, and fabrication.

AI partnership to accelerate nuclear innovation

The collaboration reflects a growing convergence between artificial intelligence and energy infrastructure, particularly as demand for computing power increases.

Oklo said it will use Nvidia’s AI models to support the development of nuclear-powered AI factories, with a focus on advancing research and development capabilities.

Chief Executive Officer Jacob DeWitte described the agreement as a combination of reactor deployment capabilities and advanced computing.

He said the partnership brings together high-performance computing and “world-class fuel and materials science expertise.”

According to the company, the agreement will “significantly accelerate” work on plutonium-based fuel for its Pluto reactor, which is part of the US Department of Energy’s reactor pilot programme.

The collaboration also ties into the broader Genesis Mission, a government initiative spanning 17 national laboratories aimed at fast-tracking energy innovation using advanced technologies such as AI and quantum computing.

Progress toward commercial deployment

Oklo is positioning itself as a developer of small modular reactors, with its flagship Aurora project expected to serve as its first commercial nuclear facility.

The company has been working with multiple federal research centres, including Idaho National Laboratory, to lay the groundwork for deployment.

While the company does not plan to build a commercial facility at Los Alamos, it continues to collaborate with the lab on fuel research and validation.

Historically, Los Alamos played a central role in the Manhattan Project, where the first atomic weapons were developed.

Oklo has also made progress on the regulatory front. In March, the company confirmed that the US Department of Energy approved its safety design agreement for the Aurora project, which it described as a key milestone.

The start-up is targeting commercial power generation by the end of 2027, an ambitious timeline that has drawn both investor interest and scrutiny.

Investor sentiment mixed amid valuation concerns

Despite growing momentum, Oklo’s valuation remains a point of debate among investors, particularly given the lack of meaningful revenue at this stage.

The company has faced criticism from some policymakers, including Ed Markey, over governance and perceived industry ties.

At the same time, analysts are taking a more measured view as the company transitions from concept to execution.

Vikram Bagri, who rates the stock at Hold, noted recent governance improvements following the addition of independent directors.

“The additions indicate Oklo is strengthening its governance as its shifts from the concept stage toward reactor development,” he wrote.

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