Global cooperation and technology will persist, even amid potential shifts in U.S. policy, according to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Speaking in Hong Kong on Saturday, he shared his perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI), energy sustainability, and international collaboration during a visit that highlighted his commitment to advancing innovation despite geopolitical challenges.
Export Restrictions and Global Collaboration
The technology sector has grown more complex. The U.S. has imposed restrictions on exporting advanced computing products to China, citing national security concerns. These measures, introduced during Donald Trump’s presidency and upheld by Joe Biden’s administration, have directly impacted Nvidia. The company, renowned for its leadership in AI-enabling chips, was forced to redesign products to comply with the regulations. Huang, however, remains optimistic about the future of global cooperation in technology.
“Open science in global collaboration has been the foundation of social and scientific advancement for a very long time,” Huang told the media during his visit. “It’s going to continue. Regardless of the new administration’s policies, we will balance compliance with laws while advancing our technology to serve customers worldwide.”
Balancing AI’s Energy Demands with Sustainability
During his visit to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), where he received an honorary doctorate in engineering, Huang addressed concerns about the significant energy demands of AI technologies. Graphics processing units (GPUs), the core of AI development, require substantial power, leading some to question the sustainability of widespread AI deployment.
“If the world uses more energy to power AI factories, we are a better world when that happens,” Huang stated. He explained that while AI’s energy consumption is considerable, its potential to solve critical problems justifies the investment.
To mitigate environmental impacts, Huang proposed leading-edge solutions. He suggested situating AI supercomputers away from populated areas and relying on off-grid, renewable energy sources to power these facilities.
“My hope is that energy for intelligence becomes the best use of energy we can imagine,” he said.
AI’s Expanding Role in Scientific Discovery
Huang’s vision for AI extends far beyond its current applications. He highlighted the technology’s potential to advance various scientific fields. Examples include discovering methods to store carbon dioxide and reservoirs, optimizing wind turbine designs, and developing advanced materials for energy storage.
For Huang, the purpose of AI lies in leveraging its algorithms for practical, generative applications. The goal, he emphasized, is to use AI for inference by applying its capabilities to make data-driven discoveries and solve complex problems.
“The age of AI has started,” Huang declared during his address to graduates. “This new computing era will redefine industries and transform every field of science.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators
Huang’s speech to HKUST graduates reflected his enthusiasm for the opportunities that AI offers to today’s young innovators. At 61, he expressed a sense of envy for those beginning their careers now, describing this moment in history as an extraordinary time for breakthroughs.
“The whole world is reset,” he told the graduating class. “You’re at the starting line with everyone else. Industries are being reinvented, and you now have the tools to advance science across countless fields.”
Huang urged students to embrace the challenges of the era, highlighting how advancements in AI can make previously unimaginable achievements attainable. “The greatest challenges of our time, once thought insurmountable, now seem possible to overcome,” he said, encouraging the next generation to leverage technology to address global issues.
The Path of Innovation, Energy, and Cooperation
Jensen Huang’s visit to Hong Kong exemplified his dual focus on technological progress and sustainable deployment. While geopolitical tensions present obstacles, he remains committed to developing global collaboration and advancing AI responsibly. “Using energy for intelligence is the best use of energy we can imagine,” he emphasized.
