Wherever Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang goes, excitement follows, and his recent appearance at London Tech Week was no exception. Dubbed the "godfather of AI" by Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives, Huang has become a rockstar in the tech world, and his wide-spanning effect on the AI industry is undeniable. As one attendee at London Tech Week noted, "The amount of infrastructure required for AI wouldn't be possible without that man," likening him to Iron Man, the Marvel superhero and tech billionaire inventor. This sentiment was echoed by the floods of people who crowded outside the main stage, eager to catch a glimpse of Huang's talk, with many forced to watch from screens around the venue due to the overwhelming demand.
Huang's talk, which took place alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, was highly anticipated, with lines forming outside the Olympia auditorium over 40 minutes before the event was set to begin. The Nvidia CEO used the platform to reiterate his bullish assessment of artificial intelligence, calling it an "incredible technology" that should be seen as infrastructure, much like electricity. This bullish stance on AI has become a hallmark of Huang's public appearances, and his enthusiasm was palpable as he spoke to the packed audience. The UK Prime Minister also took the opportunity to tout Nvidia's investments in the country, highlighting the company's announcement of a new "UK sovereign AI industry forum" and commitments from cloud vendors to deploy new facilities containing thousands of its Blackwell GPU chips.
The UK received a glowing endorsement from Huang, who praised the country as the "envy of the world" and highlighted its vibrant venture capital ecosystem and budding AI entrepreneurs from leading firms such as Google DeepMind, Synthesia, Wayve, and ElevenLabs. Huang's praise was not limited to the country's current state, as he also expressed his excitement about the potential for future growth and development. The Nvidia CEO noted that the UK is "such a great place to invest," and announced plans to partner with the country to upskill tech workers and build out domestic AI infrastructure. This partnership is seen as a significant vote of confidence in the UK's AI sector, and is likely to have a positive impact on the country's ability to attract further investment and talent.
The energy in the room was palpable as Huang and Starmer spoke, with the Nvidia CEO's enthusiasm and charisma drawing a round of applause from the audience. The event marked the beginning of Huang's European tour, which will see him travel to Paris later this week for the company's GTC conference. The conference is likely to attract significant attention, with politicians such as President Emmanuel Macron eager to meet with Huang and discuss the potential for AI development in their respective countries. As the CEO of Nvidia, a company that has positioned itself at the forefront of the AI revolution, Huang has become a highly sought-after figure, and his appearances are closely watched by industry leaders and politicians alike.
In conclusion, Jensen Huang's appearance at London Tech Week was a resounding success, with the Nvidia CEO bringing his signature energy and enthusiasm to the event. The UK's glowing endorsement from Huang is a significant coup for the country, and is likely to have a positive impact on its ability to attract further investment and talent in the AI sector. As Huang continues his European tour, it will be interesting to see how other countries respond to his message, and whether they will be able to capitalize on the excitement and enthusiasm that he generates. One thing is certain, however: wherever Huang goes, excitement and interest in AI are sure to follow.