NVIDIA and AMD CEOs Visit Japan in Quick Succession, Discuss AI Opportunities with PM Ishiba

The heads of NVIDIA and AMD have both touched down in Japan recently, eager to tap into the booming potential of the nation’s AI market.

—

NVIDIA and AMD have set their sights on Japan as a prime area for investment in artificial intelligence. Both companies are eager to maintain a footprint in the region, recognizing Japan’s significant ambition in AI development. The country is heavily investing in its technological infrastructure to remain competitive, actively encouraging tech leaders like NVIDIA and AMD to play a role. Their CEOs, Lisa Su from AMD and Jensen Huang from NVIDIA, have recently visited, underscoring Japan’s pivotal position in the future plans of AI enterprises.

According to Bloomberg, during his trip, Jensen Huang urged Japan to increase its electricity generation capacity to meet the growing demands of the AI sector. In discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, they deliberated on how Japan could leverage its strengths in robotics and industrial manufacturing to take a leading role in AI. As a sign of commitment, Jensen gifted the Prime Minister a DGX Spark AI supercomputer, highlighting the strong interest in supporting Japan’s technological ambitions.

NVIDIA finds itself needing to explore new territories due to the challenges it faces in China, fueled by stringent US export regulations and rising competition. These circumstances make exploring other markets like Japan essential, with its substantial R&D resources and determination to become a leader in AI globally.

Reflecting this competitive landscape, Lisa Su also made the trip to Japan, engaging with the Prime Minister and numerous partners. While precise details of her discussions remain under wraps, it’s clear that AMD is equally eager to establish stronger ties. It appears Japan is particularly interested in AMD’s growth potential in the region and is keen to collaborate with them for its AI strategies. The rivalry for establishing a market presence between NVIDIA and AMD in Japan is certainly heating up.