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The rise of artificial intelligence and its voracious appetite for energy could breathe new life into Paducah, Kentucky, a city formerly dubbed ‘Atomic City.’ Paducah, home to a uranium enrichment plant operated by the Department of Energy for over six decades, has been seeking a new identity since the plant’s closure in 2013, even embracing its ‘Quilt City’ moniker. Now, the massive power demands of AI data centers present a potential opportunity to revitalize the area, leveraging its existing nuclear infrastructure and workforce expertise. Paducah represents a broader trend where former nuclear sites could find renewed purpose in supporting the energy-intensive AI industry.