During the company's annual developer conference, Nvidia's founder and CEO Jensen Huang refuted claims that the company was negotiating to take over Intel's chip manufacturing operations. Huang described these assertions as false, asserting, "If there’s a party, nobody invited me."

Last week, Reuters reported that TSMC, a Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer, was in discussions with Nvidia, along with AMD and Broadcom, to establish a joint venture that would oversee Intel’s chip production amidst the company's continuing operational difficulties.

In response, Huang categorically denied these reports, stating, "I don’t know where this came from. No one invited me to the party. Perhaps others are involved, but not me."

Regarding export restrictions on AI chips established by the Biden administration during its final days, Huang provided insights into the categorization of countries into three tiers.

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

The second tier includes 150 countries, such as Poland, Mexico, Israel, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, where AI chip exports are permitted but only within certain computational power limitations.

When questioned about these export regulations, Huang remarked, "In the long run, I believe AI is a technology essential for every country, every industry, and every organization.

AI has already entered the mainstream. We discuss AI as though it’s a magical technology, but it’s simply software. Every nation will eventually have the capability to run such software. If possible, we would love to support every country with American technology and standards. Access to necessary computing power is beneficial for countries and advantageous for the United States as well."

On the impact of tariffs from the Trump administration on Nvidia, Huang projected minimal effects.

"We possess a very flexible supply network. It's not just based in Taiwan, Mexico, or Vietnam, but in numerous other locations. It is a complicated matter that varies based on the country on which the tariffs are imposed. Therefore, in the short term, we do not anticipate any significant effects on our operations. In the long term, we aim to maintain our flexibility through local production. If we can incorporate local production into our supply chain by year-end, we will be in a solid position. We have the capability to produce a substantial amount in the U.S.—not everything, but a significant portion."

Huang also addressed how Nvidia is responding to the chip export restrictions imposed on China by the Biden administration in the fall of 2023. He emphasized, "We have a fundamental commitment to operating our business lawfully and doing our utmost to compete and meet customer needs. As the world grows more complex, it’s critical to comply with the law while striving to serve customers and markets. Half of the world’s AI researchers are from China, and the runner-up isn't even close. Thus, it's logical that China makes a significant contribution to AI research. Every AI lab in the U.S. features many outstanding Chinese researchers, without exception. China cultivates numerous excellent computer scientists, so we hope that continues."

Finally, Huang highlighted the significant energy demands associated with constructing data centers for AI model development, arguing that discussions about energy consumption in AI are often misframed. "AI represents a new manufacturing industry, which inherently requires energy. The critical question is whether a country is willing to produce AI. If the answer is affirmative, then energy is necessary. Among all energy-consuming activities, which should receive priority for production? Cement? Steel? Agriculture? AI? That’s a straightforward question."

Under Huang’s leadership, Nvidia has solidified its role as a frontrunner in the AI and GPU sectors. The company's recognition stems from its groundbreaking contributions to AI, deep learning, and high-performance computing. Huang's comments at the conference illustrate Nvidia's strategy for addressing global challenges, including navigating international relations, fostering technological innovation, and ensuring supply chain adaptability.

Nvidia’s emphasis on AI and machine learning has established it as a pivotal entity in data center development, AI research, and high-performance computing. Huang's statements highlight the importance of maintaining a flexible and diversified supply chain while fostering global collaboration in AI research and development.

As the company confronts regulatory challenges, such as trade restrictions and export controls, it remains committed to extending its technology and standards worldwide, ensuring countries and industries have access to the computing power they require.

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