Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Will Not Attend Trump Inauguration, Prioritizes Lunar New Year and AI Strategy
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will miss Trump’s inauguration to celebrate Lunar New Year with employees in Asia. He discusses AI chip production and export challenges.
Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, announced on Friday that he will not be attending the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Instead, he plans to celebrate the Lunar New Year with Nvidia employees and their families, traveling to various events in Asia.
Speaking to reporters at a company party in Taipei, Huang confirmed that he has not yet discussed the new U.S. export controls on artificial intelligence (AI) chips with the Trump administration. These regulations, introduced by outgoing President Joe Biden, are designed to limit AI chip exports to most countries, excluding close U.S. allies such as Taiwan.
Huang said he looks forward to congratulating the Trump administration once it takes office but has not had direct communication with them yet.
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Meeting with TSMC and AI Chip Production
During his visit to Taiwan, Huang had lunch with C.C. Wei, chairman of Nvidia’s primary supplier, TSMC. The discussion focused on scaling up production of Nvidia’s latest advanced AI chips, codenamed Blackwell, which are in high demand globally.
Nvidia, based in Santa Clara, California, has seen tremendous growth, becoming one of the most valuable companies in the world with a market capitalization exceeding $3 trillion. However, the new U.S. export restrictions could challenge Nvidia's ability to maintain its rapid revenue growth.
Impact of U.S. AI Chip Export Restrictions
The Biden administration's rules, announced on January 13, aim to prevent countries like China from accessing advanced AI technology that could enhance their military capabilities. Nvidia criticized the regulations, stating they could harm U.S. leadership in AI innovation.
The restrictions are set to take effect in 120 days, leaving room for the incoming Trump administration to review or modify them. Both the Biden and Trump administrations share concerns about China’s growing influence and technological advancements, suggesting continuity in addressing these issues.
Nvidia’s Lunar New Year Celebrations in Asia
Huang’s current focus is on celebrating the Lunar New Year with employees. He recently attended a Nvidia New Year party in Shenzhen and is scheduled to visit Beijing for another event, according to a company insider.
Nvidia has not yet commented on these developments publicly.
Also Read: Nvidia Stock Drops as Biden Administration Tightens AI Chip Export Rules
