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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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On moving fast and breaking things
Craig Piercycpiercy@ans.org
So much of what is happening in federal nuclear policy these days seems driven by a common approach popularized in the technology sector. Silicon Valley calls it “move fast and break things,” a phrase originally associated with Facebook’s early culture under Mark Zuckerberg. The idea emerged in the early 2000s as software companies discovered that rapid iteration, frequent experimentation, and a willingness to tolerate failure could dramatically accelerate innovation. This philosophy helped drive the growth of the social media, smartphones, cloud computing, and digital platforms that now underpin modern economic and social life.
Today, that mindset is also influencing federal nuclear policy. The Trump administration views accelerated nuclear deployment as part of a broader competition with China for technological and AI leadership. In that context, it seems willing to accept greater operational risk in pursuit of strategic advantage and long-term economic and security objectives.
To add or remove a session from your itinerary, please check the circle to the left of its title.
10:30AM–5:00PM EDT
Panel|Calusa 10-12|Sponsored by Supply Chain Challenges & Opportunities
Panel|Calusa 8-9|Sponsored by Cost Reduction Opportunities
Session Chairs: Ray Herb, Pareez Golub
Panel|Calusa 4-5|Sponsored by Alternate Revenue Streams
Panel|Calusa 1-3|Sponsored by Workforce Development
Panel|Calusa 6|Sponsored by Maintenance/Work Management Challenges & Opportunities
Panel|Calusa 6|Sponsored by Supply Chain Challenges & Opportunities
Panel|Calusa 10-12|Sponsored by Maintenance/Work Management Challenges & Opportunities
8:30–10:00AM EDT
Panel|Calusa 1-3|Sponsored by Supply Chain Challenges & Opportunities
Panel|Calusa 6|Sponsored by Workforce Development
