Nvidia and Oracle to Build Department of Energy’s Largest AI Supercomputer
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced on Tuesday, at the company’s first-ever GTC AI conference held in Washington D.C., that Nvidia and Oracle will collaborate to build the Department of Energy’s (DOE) largest AI supercomputer. Speaking from Nvidia’s booth during the expo reception, Huang proclaimed plans to create “the largest supercomputer—AI supercomputer—in America for DOE.”
In partnership with the federally funded Argonne National Laboratory, Nvidia and Oracle will develop a total of seven new AI supercomputers. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright emphasized the commercial focus of this initiative during a press briefing following Huang’s keynote. “The majority of that computational power will be used for commercial applications to drive American business,” Wright explained, adding that “a significant minority” of the resources will support science and national security efforts.
Construction on these supercomputers will begin immediately, with some computing power expected to flow into the DOE as early as next week, according to Wright. The first of the seven machines is projected to be delivered by 2026, with the largest supercomputer arriving later.
“I’m like a kid in a candy store,” Wright expressed, highlighting his enthusiasm for the project. He also noted that he personally reached out to “the players in the industry” to form partnerships that would “supercharge” the Department’s scientific and national defense capabilities.
Strong Ties to the Trump Administration
This announcement marks the latest collaboration between Nvidia and the federal government, underlining a growing connection between the AI industry and the Trump administration. Although President Trump was not present at the conference, he was a recurring topic throughout the event.
Huang revealed that Trump was originally slated to attend but had to cancel due to a diplomatic tour in Asia. Huang is set to join Trump during the South Korea portion of the trip, where Trump will meet with China’s Xi Jinping for critical trade discussions—talks that hold significant implications for Nvidia’s business.
Throughout his keynote, Huang repeatedly thanked the Trump administration. He concluded his speech by enthusiastically shouting, “Thank you for making America great again!” to an audience of tech enthusiasts, GPU fans, and government officials.
In the subsequent press briefing, Huang praised Secretary Wright and President Trump for their energy policies. “I’m so grateful that President Trump is pro-energy,” Huang said. “With administrations and others vilifying the use of energy, it was very difficult for the United States to win the AI race or to win any industrial race.”
Energy Impact and Environmental Concerns
AI technologies require immense amounts of energy and water, imposing strains on local communities near data centers. These centers also contribute significantly to the carbon footprint, with rising greenhouse gas emissions exacerbating climate change.
In contrast to the Biden administration’s environmental stance, the Trump administration has shown support for carbon-intensive energy sources and skepticism toward climate change. Trump has canceled billions of dollars in funding for clean energy projects and reportedly is considering further cuts.
An All-American Assembly Line
Huang also emphasized a commitment to maintaining an all-American production chain. “Everything from the beginning, from idea, silicon, all the way to the generation of intelligence will be here in the United States,” he declared. This aligns with the administration’s strong push for domestic manufacturing and supply chains.
On being asked about his donation toward constructing Trump’s new White House ballroom, Huang expressed pride and delight in contributing “in a small way to what will clearly be a historic national monument for our country.” Ironically, the project involves demolishing the East Wing of the White House, a historic American landmark.
Significance of Hosting GTC in Washington D.C.
The choice to hold Nvidia’s second GTC conference in Washington D.C. further reflects the company’s close ties to the President and his administration. Normally, Nvidia’s GTC is held annually in March in San Jose, California, the heart of Silicon Valley. The event is widely considered the “Super Bowl” of AI, making Silicon Valley a more typical and arguably appropriate venue than the nation’s capital.
Huang himself acknowledged the unusual location, stating, “This has got to be the most technical conference in Washington D.C.”
The partnership between Nvidia, Oracle, and the DOE signals a major step forward in America’s AI infrastructure, reinforcing the intersection of technology, government policy, and industry leadership.
https://gizmodo.com/nvidia-supercomputers-for-trump-2000678264