During the company’s annual developer conference, Jensen Huang, Nvidia's founder and CEO, refuted claims that Nvidia was engaged in negotiations to take over Intel's chip manufacturing operations. Huang characterized the reports as erroneous, stating, “If there’s a party, nobody invited me.”

Last week, Reuters reported that TSMC, a Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer, was in discussions with Nvidia, as well as AMD and Broadcom, regarding a joint venture to manage Intel’s chip production amid the company's ongoing operational challenges.

In response, Huang emphatically dismissed the reports, saying, “I don’t know where this came from. No one invited me to the party. Maybe others are involved, but not me.”

Regarding AI chip export restrictions, Huang also commented on the recent regulations imposed by the Biden administration during its last days in office, which categorize countries into three tiers.

The first tier includes the United States and 17 other nations such as Belgium, Canada, Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, and the UK, which will face no export restrictions. Conversely, countries categorized in the third tier, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, will experience a complete ban on AI chip exports.

Around 150 countries, including Poland, Mexico, Israel, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, fall into the second tier, allowing AI chip exports but only within certain computing power limitations.

When questioned about these export regulations, Huang noted, "In the long term, I believe AI is a technology that every country, every industry, and every company needs. AI is already mainstream. We discuss AI as if it’s some magical technology, but it’s really just software. Every country will have the capability to run software. If possible, we’d love to assist every nation with American technology and standards. It’s beneficial for countries to access the computing power they require, and it’s also advantageous for the United States."

On the influence of Trump-era tariffs on Nvidia, Huang projected that the impact would be minimal.

“We have a very flexible supply network. Not just in Taiwan, Mexico, or Vietnam, but in numerous locations. It’s a complex issue and depends on which country is affected by the tariffs. Therefore, we don’t anticipate any major short-term impacts on our operations. In the long run, we aim to preserve our flexibility through local production. If we incorporate local manufacturing into our supply chain by year’s end, our situation will be quite favorable. We have the capability to produce a substantial amount in the U.S. Not everything, but a significant portion."

Huang also elaborated on Nvidia's approach to the chip export restrictions to China that were enacted by the Biden administration in fall 2023. He asserted, “We are fundamentally committed to operating our business lawfully and doing our utmost to compete and serve customers. As global complexities increase, we must adhere to the law and strive to serve customers and markets effectively. Fifty percent of the world’s AI researchers are from China. The second place isn’t even close. Hence, it is reasonable for AI research to see substantial contributions from China. Every AI lab in the U.S. employs numerous outstanding Chinese researchers, without exception. China produces an abundance of excellent computer scientists, and we hope that continues.”

Lastly, Huang discussed the substantial energy demands involved in constructing data centers for AI model development, arguing that conversations about energy consumption in AI have been misconstrued. “AI is a new manufacturing industry, and manufacturing requires energy. The question is whether a country wants to produce AI. If the answer is yes, then energy is necessary. Among the various entities that consume energy, which ones should be prioritized for production? Cement? Steel? Agriculture? AI? That’s a straightforward question.”

Under Jensen Huang's leadership, Nvidia has solidified its position as a leader in the AI and GPU market. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking contributions to AI, deep learning, and high-performance computing. Huang's comments at the conference echo the company’s strategy for addressing global challenges, including managing international relations, stimulating technological innovation, and ensuring supply chain adaptability.

Nvidia’s emphasis on AI and machine learning has established it as a vital player in data center development, AI research, and high-performance computing. Huang's remarks highlight the significance of maintaining a flexible and diversified supply chain and the necessity for global collaboration in AI research and development.

As Nvidia encounters regulatory challenges, including trade restrictions and export controls, it remains dedicated to extending its technology and standards internationally, facilitating access to computing power for countries and sectors worldwide.

The company’s outlook on AI envisions a future where nations and industries can fully exploit the capabilities of artificial intelligence, all while navigating the intricacies of the global technology landscape.