“Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang Apologizes for Quantum Remarks at GTC Event”
During the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference, CEO Jensen Huang addressed the company’s first-ever Quantum Day, acknowledging his previous comments that had negatively impacted quantum stocks. Huang described the event as an opportunity to apologize and clarify his stance on quantum technology, but not all panel attendees were convinced of his contrition. The damage to the market had already been done.
The Quantum Day panels at GTC featured discussions among executives from emerging quantum computing companies like Quantinuum, IonQ, and SEEQC, as well as researchers from tech giants such as Microsoft and Amazon Web Services. While some panelists appreciated the increased exposure for quantum technology, others felt that Huang’s apology lacked sincerity and doubted his commitment to the field.
Despite the controversy, momentum in the quantum computing industry is evident, with companies like D-Wave achieving significant milestones in quantum supremacy and introducing innovative applications such as a quantum blockchain architecture. Major players like Microsoft, AWS, and Google are also making strides in quantum research, signaling a promising future for the field.
Overall, the discussions at the GTC event centered on technical approaches to advancing quantum computing and potential applications, highlighting the industry’s progress and ongoing evolution.
Rigetti CEO Subodh Kulkarni expressed enthusiasm for the panel as an excellent platform for quantum computing companies to engage with developers. However, he suggested that it could have been better organized with separate panels for companies like his, focused on research and development, and those like D-Wave with more commercial applications. Baratz agreed, emphasizing the need for clearer organization and goals for participation in future events. Despite some concerns, both CEOs acknowledged the value of participating in events hosted by Nvidia, noting the difficulty of declining invitations.
Prior to the panel, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expressed surprise at the negative impact his earlier remarks had on the stocks of quantum computing companies, stating he was unaware of their public status. Following the backlash, Huang reached out to affected CEOs to apologize for the financial losses incurred. Many attendees recognized Huang’s efforts to make amends by hosting a day of quantum-focused discussions and sessions at GTC.
While some quantum stocks saw a slight improvement after D-Wave’s announcement in mid-March, they have yet to fully recover from the fallout of Huang’s comments in January. Kulkarni noted that Huang acknowledged the unintended consequences of his statements and viewed the Quantum Day event as a form of apology. Despite criticisms from panelists, a spokesperson for Nvidia declined to comment on the feedback regarding the event.
