'He’s like Iron Man': Jensen Huang lit up London Tech Week — and we were in the room

LONDON — The atmosphere was electric at London Tech Week as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang took center stage, earning comparisons to a rockstar and even the superhero Iron Man. With his significant influence on the AI sector, Huang has become known as the 'godfather of AI,' a title that reflects his pivotal role in shaping this transformative technology. Attendees lined up at the Olympia auditorium well in advance of Huang's appearance, which was set to include U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Although not everyone could enter, large screens throughout the venue allowed many to catch a glimpse of Huang's eagerly anticipated address. He reiterated his strong belief in artificial intelligence, describing it as an 'incredible technology' and likening its importance to that of electricity. While no multi-billion dollar investments were announced during the event, Huang's enthusiastic endorsement of the U.K. as a prime location for AI innovation was a notable highlight. Clad in his signature leather jacket, he praised the country as the 'envy of the world,' highlighting its thriving venture capital landscape and the emergence of AI startups such as Google DeepMind, Synthesia, Wayve, and ElevenLabs. In his remarks, Starmer animatedly discussed Nvidia's investments in the U.K., which included the launch of a new 'U.K. sovereign AI industry forum.' He also shared commitments from cloud providers Nscale and Nebius to set up facilities equipped with thousands of Nvidia's Blackwell GPU chips. Both leaders expressed optimism about AI's potential to alleviate challenges faced by public sector institutions, from healthcare to education. Huang emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure to foster research and innovation, stating, 'Infrastructure enables more research — more research, more breakthroughs, more companies.' Starmer echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude for Huang's insights and the confidence it instills in the U.K.'s position in the AI landscape. The chemistry between the two leaders was palpable, culminating in a handshake that symbolized their shared vision for the future. Huang's excitement for London Tech Week was met with enthusiasm from the audience, underscoring his status as a sought-after figure in the tech world. As Huang embarks on a broader European tour, including a stop in Paris for Nvidia's GTC conference, it's clear that the AI revolution is just beginning, and Nvidia aims to be at its forefront. With leaders like Huang and Starmer collaborating, the U.K. is poised to enhance its role in this rapidly evolving industry.