During the company’s annual developer conference, Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, refuted claims that the company was engaged in negotiations to gain control of Intel’s chip manufacturing operations. Huang labeled these reports as false, stating, "If there’s a party, nobody invited me."

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

In response, Huang strongly rejected the claims, asserting, "I don’t know where this came from. No one invited me to the party. Maybe others are involved, but not me."

Nvidia’s Position on AI Chip Export Restrictions
Huang also spoke about the recent export restrictions on AI chips implemented by the Biden administration during its final days in office. These restrictions classify nations into three tiers.

The first tier, which includes the United States and 17 other countries such as Belgium, Canada, Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, and the UK, will impose no export restrictions. In contrast, countries in the third tier, which consist of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, will endure 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, where AI chip exports are permissible but only under specified computing power limitations.

When asked about these export regulations, Huang remarked, "In the long term, I believe that AI is a technology essential for every country, every industry, and every company.

AI has already become mainstream. We discuss AI as if it’s some kind of magical technology, but it’s merely software. Every nation will have the capability to run software. We would be eager to support every country with American technology and standards, as it would benefit both the nations needing access to necessary computing power and the United States."

Minimal Effect of Trump Administration Tariffs on Nvidia
Regarding the tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, Huang estimated the impact on Nvidia would be minimal.

“Our supply network is very adaptable. Not just in Taiwan, Mexico, or Vietnam, but in numerous locations. It’s a complicated issue, depending on which country the tariffs are applied to. Therefore, in the short term, we don’t expect any major effects on our operations. In the long run, we want to preserve our flexibility through local production. If we can incorporate local production into our supply chain by year’s end, we will be in a strong position. We have the capability to produce significantly in the U.S. Not everything, but a substantial amount.”

Nvidia’s Approach to U.S. Export Restrictions for Chips to China
Huang also elaborated on how Nvidia is addressing the chip export restrictions to China, which were enacted by the Biden administration in fall 2023. He emphasized, "We are fundamentally committed to conducting our business in compliance with the law and striving to serve our customers. As global complexities increase, we must abide by the law while doing our utmost to serve customers and markets. Fifty percent of the world’s AI researchers are from China—no other country comes close. Thus, it is logical that China makes a significant contribution to AI research. Every AI lab in the U.S. has excellent Chinese researchers, without exception. China is home to many outstanding computer scientists, and we hope that continues."

Energy Requirements for AI Data Centers
Lastly, Huang discussed the considerable energy demands associated with creating data centers for AI model development. He contended that discussions surrounding energy use in AI have been misrepresented. "AI is a new manufacturing sector, and manufacturing requires energy. The question is whether a country wishes to produce AI. If the answer is yes, energy is essential. Among all the energy-consuming activities, what should be prioritized for production? Cement? Steel? Agriculture? AI? That’s a straightforward question."

Further Insights on Nvidia’s Strategy and Market Position
Under Jensen Huang’s guidance, Nvidia has reinforced its status as a frontrunner in the AI and GPU sectors. The company is acclaimed for its groundbreaking work in AI, deep learning, and high-performance computing. Huang’s comments at the conference highlight the company’s strategy in addressing global challenges, including international relations, technological advancements, and supply chain adaptability.

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

As the company confronts regulatory challenges, including trade restrictions and export regulations, it remains dedicated to expanding its technology and standards globally, ensuring that countries and industries around the world have access to necessary computing power.

The company's vision for AI aligns with a future where nations and industries can fully realize artificial intelligence's potential while navigating the intricacies of the global technology landscape.