Sam Altman, the chairman of OpenAI, appears to have stepped up to become the chairman of Oklo, a publicly traded firm that specializes in cutting-edge nuclear fission technologies. Through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Altman formed, Oklo just began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Oklo hopes to commercialize nuclear fission technology by employing miniature nuclear reactors encased in A-frame constructions, even though they have not made any money yet. The US Air Force and large IT businesses are among the end consumers to whom the company intends to sell the energy.

Altman has been a proponent of nuclear energy as a solution to the growing demand for AI technology without relying on fossil fuels. He believes that nuclear energy is essential for the future of AI development. Oklo CEO Jacob DeWitte confirmed that the company has yet to generate revenue and is targeting 2027 for its first plant to come online. Despite the risks associated with SPACs, Oklo's entry into the public market reflects optimism about the company's potential in the nuclear and AI sectors.

Altman's involvement with Oklo dates back to his time as the president of startup incubator Y Combinator. He invested in the company in 2015 and became its chairman. Additionally, Altman has invested in other nuclear energy ventures, such as clean energy firm Helion, which is working on nuclear fusion technology. Altman's interests in AI-related infrastructure and chip endeavors align with Oklo's focus on providing energy solutions for large-scale AI growth.

Overall, Oklo's entry into the public market reflects growing interest in nuclear energy and its potential applications in powering AI infrastructure.