The goal of nuclear fusion is to recreate the same conditions that exist inside the Sun, which is powered by this reaction. “When we look at the options we have for continuous energy production, the possibilities are limited; with nuclear power as we know it today, there aren’t that many uranium reserves if everyone starts using it,” explains Yannick Marandet. Nuclear fusion, however, has the advantage of using very few resources.

The United States has recently stepped up the pace. Several start-ups are in the starting blocks: 53 today, compared to 10 fifteen years ago, according to figures from the latest report by their lobbying association, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA).

And now, what is accelerating things even more is the boom in artificial intelligence, particularly in the United States. From the design of a model to its use, generative AI is extremely energy-intensive. Across the Atlantic, demand for electricity is expected to grow by 25% by 2030 due to its increasing use. “The United States believes it needs fusion to be the master of AI,” notes Yannick Marandet. Hence the Trump family’s interest in this dream of unlimited energy. However, the ambitions of TAE, the famous American company that is merging with the Trump Media group, seem very optimistic.

“But at this stage, I would say that this is not the path that is gaining the most support or hope in the community,” says the physicist. As for its ambition to build a first power plant in 2026, he believes this is simply science fiction.

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