Nvidia's D.C. moment
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Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang is bringing Silicon Valley to D.C. this week with the company's first-ever developers conference in the nation's capital, signaling how central Washington has become to the chip giant's ambitions.
Why it matters: The annual Nvidia GTC (GPU Technology Conference) in San Jose is known as the "Super Bowl of AI." The new Washington edition showcases Nvidia's deepening ties with the federal government.
Driving the news: Axios got a sneak peek at themes of Huang's keynote tomorrow. "AI is the most transformative technology in human history — and the race is on," Huang says.
- "GTC D.C. brings together researchers, developers, business leaders and policymakers in the heart of our nation's capital to explore breakthroughs in AI, robotics, life sciences, energy, quantum, and 6G — advancing innovations vital to America's technological leadership."
The conference will be held today through Wednesday at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, with live demos and 70+ sessions on chip design, superintelligence, quantum computing and more.
- In conjunction with the conference, Huang and Eric Schmidt, chair of the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), will announce a Task Force on AI and the Future of Work, including representatives from industry, academia and government.
- The task force will be established in early 2026, then deliver an interim report at SCSP's AI Expo in May and a final report in October 2026.
What they're saying: Nvidia Vice President of External Affairs Ned Finkle said that to "strengthen America's global leadership in AI, we must invest in our people."
- SCSP CEO Ylli Bajraktari said: "AI is remaking the economy, and this task force is about equipping every American to participate fully in that new era."
The bottom line: The impact of AI on the workforce is top-of-mind for politicians in Washington, whose constituents worry about job displacement.
- At a conference that's largely about advancements in computing, questions about how people and their livelihoods could be impacted will loom large.
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