Meta's deal to help revive an Illinois nuclear power plant was one way of signaling that the parent company of Facebook and Instagram is preparing for a future built with artificial intelligence. Meta's 20-year deal with Constellation Energy follows similar maneuvers from Amazon,

Facebook parent Meta announced an unprecedented deal with Constellation Energy, the largest American nuclear power plant operator, cementing Meta’s turn to turn to nuclear energy to power its energy intensive, generative artificial intelligence initiatives, and sending Constellation shares surging.

Facebook parent Meta on Tuesday inked a 20-year deal with power giant Constellation Energy to keep a large Illinois nuclear plant running until mid-century. Why it matters: It's a big addition to a hot power trend — big tech looking to reactors big and small to meet AI's electricity thirst with zero-carbon energy.