--- title: "Microsoft Signs Deal to Get Fusion Power by 2028" description: "Microsoft just made a massive bet on nuclear fusion energy — and that bet has OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's name written all over it." date: "2023-05-11" modified: "2023-05-13" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/microsoft-deal-fusion-power-2028" categories: - "Energy" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "clean energy" - "microsoft" - "nuclear fusion" - "the digest" --- # Microsoft Signs Deal to Get Fusion Power by 2028 ![Microsoft just made a massive bet on nuclear fusion energy — and that bet has OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's name written all over it.]() *Digital generated image of abstract network cables made of metallic wire. \Image: Getty Images\* ## Big Bets Microsoft just made a massive bet on nuclear fusion energy — and the wager has OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's name written all over it. *The Wall Street Journal* [reports that]() Microsoft has inked a deal with an Altman-backed fusion power startup called Helion Energy, which is aiming to deliver carbon-free energy by 2028. That's a wildly ambitious goal, considering that fusion has thus far evaded humanity's grasp, and a lot of experts agree that we're very unlikely to crack the fusion code [for decades]() — [if ever](). To that end, there seem to be some real stakes to this deal, especially on Helion's behalf. Per the *WSJ*, if the Altman-backed startup can't deliver on its goal by 2029, it'll suffer a significant (but undisclosed) financial penalty. "We wouldn't enter into this agreement," Microsoft President Brad Smith told the *WSJ*, "if we were not optimistic that engineering advances are gaining momentum." ## Nuclear Salt Per the *WSJ*, Helion says it will have a functional prototype to demo sometime this year. Altman, for his part, seems intensely optimistic about Helion and [fusion in general](), telling the *WSJ* that he thinks the startup may be able to deliver on its promises even earlier than planned. Considering that he's reportedly put $375 million into the renewable energy firm, we're glad that he's feeling good about his investment. "I had this belief that the two things that would matter most to making the future and raising the quality of life a lot were making intelligence and energy cheap and abundant," the OpenAI chief told the *WSJ*. "and that if we could do that, it would transform the world in a really positive way." "There's some flexibility, but it is really important that there are significant financial penalties for Helion if we don't deliver," added Helion CEO David Kirtley, also speaking to the *WSJ*. "We think the physics of this is ready for us to signal the commercialization of fusion is ready." But again, while we're glad these guys are enthusiastic, all fusion claims should be taken with a grain of salt. Despite one [recent breakthrough]() in the long-sought-after technology, a lot of folks in the field believe that mankind is already [too little, too late]() when it comes to fusion. In any case, we'll certainly be keeping our eyes on the Helion clock. And in the meantime? We'll also be watching [how much cash Microsoft continues to invest into Altman's OpenAI](). *Updated to correctly identify the year the startup is hoping to produce fusion energy.* **More on fusion energy:** [*Gloomy Physicists Say Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough Is Too Late to Save Us*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()