Nvidia's CEO is given the rockstar treatment in AI-powerhouse Taiwan

When Nvidia surpassed Apple this week to become America’s second most valuable company, its CEO was being celebrated in his birthplace Taiwan. Wearing his signature black leather jacket, the CEO spoke at a packed stadium in Taipei, emphasizing Taiwan’s importance in building the infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which has driven Nvidia’s success. The CEO’s every move, including throwing the first pitch at a baseball game and visiting a night market, has been closely followed by fans and media, creating a phenomenon called ‘Jensanity.’ Other tech CEOs also attended the Computex trade show in Taiwan, recognizing the island’s role in the AI revolution. Computex was previously known as a low-key sourcing fair but has gained significance as the demand for cutting-edge chips used in data centers has soared. Both Nvidia and AMD outsource the production of their advanced chips to TSMC in Taiwan, elevating the island’s position as a key player in the AI industry. The CEOs’ trips to Taiwan serve to strengthen relationships with chip manufacturers and access the country’s AI talent. Despite political tensions and pressure on TSMC to expand outside Taiwan, the CEOs remain committed to the semiconductor ecosystem on the island. The chip shortage during the Covid-19 pandemic and the strategic importance of the industry due to US-China rivalry have led to calls for reviving chip manufacturing in America. The United States aims to boost domestic chip production and reduce reliance on Asia through legislation signed by President Joe Biden in 2022. The CEOs agree that a more geographically balanced and resilient supply chain is needed.