Jensen Huang to Europe: Accelerate AI and Regulate Its Use

On a visit to France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Germany ahead of GTC Berlin, Nvidia's CEO emphasizes that the Union is moving too slowly and is relying too much on regulation. In discussions with Friedrich Merz, he advocates for a local AI industry, application-centered regulation, and swift execution. The German Chancellor, on the other hand, defends a balance between innovation and constraints, as the country has experienced recessions in 2023 and 2024.

Stated Risk: Innovation Will Move Elsewhere if the EU Delays

Jensen Huang warns that if Europe spends too much time debating AI regulation, major innovation could occur elsewhere. Europe already has a general framework, particularly with the EU AI Regulation. Meanwhile, the United States and China are seen as having taken a lead in creating advanced models and establishing the necessary infrastructure for their training. Nvidia holds a dominant position in the market for advanced chips that support the rapid growth of AI, and the company has a vested interest in seeing governments and businesses accelerate the establishment of infrastructure and the deployment of this technology.

What Huang Wants to Regulate: Applications, Not Technology

When asked about regulation, Jensen Huang asserts that safety must remain a priority. He recommends focusing regulation on AI applications, similar to what is done for products using the Internet, rather than targeting the underlying technology as a whole. He warns that mere regulation is not enough to achieve technological leadership. According to him, it is essential to allow a national AI industry to thrive while ensuring safe and responsible development, because without a flourishing industry, there would be nothing to regulate.

German Response and Industrial Bet in a Recessionary Economy

Friedrich Merz believes that Europe still needs to find the right balance between innovation and regulation, rejecting both a complete absence of rules and excessive constraints. Together with Jensen Huang, he presents AI as a potential solution to economic gloom, as Germany has faced recessions in 2023 and 2024. Huang highlights the country’s industrial strengths, such as manufacturing, engineering, and expertise, and considers that AI can transform these resources into an advantage in the next technological phase, which he describes as "physical": robotics, factories, automotive, and heavy industry. He summarizes his appeal with: "Give Germany a chance. Give this industry a chance."

A Whirlwind Tour to Spread the Message Across Europe

Before the opening of GTC in Berlin on Tuesday, Jensen Huang traveled through France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Germany in seven days. On Monday evening, he held a public conversation with Friedrich Merz. Throughout this trip, he urged Europe to accelerate in AI, to be less cautious and less dependent on regulation, calling on leaders to be bold or risk losing the race.

Focus on the UK: "You Think Too Much" and a Culture of Failure Highlighted

In London a few days earlier, Jensen Huang spoke of a "strange general behavior" in the UK. He criticized a tendency to dwell on failure despite many strengths, citing talent, culture, youth, and energy in the country. According to him, even when faced with "a million reasons to win," there is a search for "the one reason not to do it." He reiterated on this occasion: "I think you think too much."