Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang lobbies Japan to generate more power to fuel AI development

Nvidia Corp chief executive Jensen Huang met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday to push for more electricity generation to meet the needs of artificial intelligence (AI).

The two discussed how Japan is particularly well-positioned to develop AI, given its leadership in robotics and industrial manufacturing, Huang told reporters after the meeting. But he also said that generating and creating intelligence will require energy.

“The country needs to build new infrastructure,” Huang said, eschewing his usual black leather jacket for a blue suit and tie. “Energy is essential for all industrial growth.”

Resource-poor Japan is weighing data centres’ electricity requirements against the challenges of restarting nuclear reactors that were closed following the Fukushima disaster, as well as boosting imports of pricey fossil fuels.

Japan would consider investing in a US$44 billion liquefied natural gas project in Alaska, as part of efforts to negotiate a trade deal with the US, Ishiba has said.

  

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