Nvidia CEO: To fight AI misuse, we need AI solutions

Key Points 

• Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes that to tackle the darker sides of AI, we might actually need to use more AI.

• He pointed out that since AI can create fake data so quickly, we need fast AI tools to catch that misinformation.

👨🏻‍💻News - Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently shared his thoughts on tackling the darker sides of artificial intelligence, suggesting that the solution might actually involve more AI. Speaking at an event at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C., he said, “It’s going to take AI to catch the darker side of AI.”

Huang pointed out that AI can generate fake data and misinformation at lightning speed, so we need equally fast AI tools to spot and stop those issues. He also drew a parallel to cybersecurity, noting that almost every company is at risk of cyberattacks at any given time. He concluded that to keep up with these threats, we’ll need even better cybersecurity, and AI will play a key role in helping us stay ahead.

👨🏻‍💼What's more? While discussing the increasing energy demands of AI, the Nvidia CEO highlighted that future AI data centers might require “several — 10 times, 20 times — more” energy than current data centers, which the International Energy Agency estimates already consume about 1.5% of the world’s electricity. He also suggested an interesting solution: constructing data centers in locations with “excess energy” that is difficult to transport, since AI “doesn’t necessarily care where it learns.”

Huang further urged the US government to actively engage with AI rather than just regulate it. He stressed that every government department, particularly the Energy and Defense departments, should become an AI practitioner. And even proposed that the US should consider building an AI supercomputer.

New US rule eases AI chip exports to Middle East data centers

Key Points 

• The US Commerce Department has introduced a rule allowing Middle Eastern data centers to apply for "Validated End User" status, easing AI chip exports.

• Data centers must undergo a rigorous vetting process to ensure national security, including reporting requirements and on-site reviews by US officials.

☕News - The US Commerce Department has announced a new rule that could make it easier to send AI chips, like Nvidia's, to data centers in the Middle East. 

Previously, since October 2023, US exporters have had to get licenses to ship advanced chips to parts of the Middle East and Central Asia. But now, data centers can apply for something called "Validated End User" status. This means they can receive chips through a general authorization, so their US suppliers won't have to get a separate license for every shipment.

🤔What prompted the change? Earlier, there were concerns in Washington that the Middle East could end up being a backdoor for China to get advanced American chips, which aren't allowed to be shipped directly to China. A lot of the focus was on G42, an AI company from the UAE that used to have ties with China. In February, G42 made it clear that they had cut those ties and were following US restrictions so they could work with American companies. This set the stage for the recent rule change. 

⏩What's next? Data centers applying for the program will go through a strict review process to ensure US technology isn't misused or diverted in ways that could threaten national security, according to the Commerce Department. The vetting will include details on customers, business activities, access restrictions, and cybersecurity. 

Applicants must also agree to reporting requirements and on-site reviews by US representatives, and the host countries may need to provide assurances about the safe use of the technology. The authorizations will also limit the types and amounts of technology that can be exported to each data center.