Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Hails Europe's AI Potential, Unveils Robot Ducks
Huang announces expanded partnerships and nearly $10 billion investment in Europe's tech ecosystem during Berlin conference.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expressed optimism about Europe's capacity in artificial intelligence and robotics, citing its engineering expertise as a distinct advantage. Speaking at Nvidia's GTC conference in Berlin on Wednesday, Huang declared, "Every company in Europe will become an AI company," as the technology giant revealed strengthened collaborations with European manufacturers and startups.
Huang's remarks concluded a European tour that included stops in London, Paris, Stockholm, and Dublin. He highlighted Europe's dedication to mechatronics, electronics, and mechanical systems, noting the region's precision and craftsmanship. During a demonstration, Huang shared the stage with small, AI-trained robot ducks developed by French startup Pollen Robotics in partnership with Hugging Face. These robots, designed to showcase European AI creativity, were tasked with performing somersaults.
Nvidia has committed nearly $10 billion to foster Europe's technology sector. The company has established a significant role in providing the processors and software essential for robotic intelligence, giving it a commercial stake in the success of European industries. Among the new partnerships announced, German company Agile Robots plans to produce between 1,000 and 2,000 humanoid robots next year in collaboration with Nvidia, according to CEO Zhaopeng Chen. Production is slated to commence by the end of the current year.
Huang emphasized the importance of Europe playing a central role in the global AI landscape, noting that the continent has often lagged behind the United States and Asia in the AI race. He stated that to participate fully in the AI economy, Europe should aim to be a producer of AI, not just a consumer. "We could do all of that here in Europe," he remarked.
In a separate development on Wednesday, Nvidia introduced a new DSX POD design, featuring factory-built data center modules that utilize its Vera Rubin platform. Nvidia claims these modules can be deployed in as little as two weeks, a significant reduction from the previous six-month timeframe.
The GTC conference also saw a demonstration of the Microduck robots that did not go entirely as planned. When Huang instructed the robots to take a nap, three of them tipped over. The fourth robot required further prompting, and another appeared to be facing the wrong direction as Huang concluded his speech. "Pay attention, stay focused," Huang told the errant robot.