Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said AI robotics is a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity for Europe, as the region has an “incredibly strong” industrial manufacturing base.
“You can now combine your industrial ability, your manufacturing ability, with artificial intelligence, which brings you into the world of physical AI or robotics,” he said in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday.
This will allow us to “transcend” the era of software, he added, which was ushered in by the US
The rise of AI robotics
The focus in the industrial and technology sectors has increasingly shifted to autonomous robotics as recent advances in AI promise more possibilities.
European industrial and manufacturing giants incl Siemens, Mercedes-Benz Group, Volvo and Schefflerannounced robotics projects and partnerships with robotics companies last year.
Big tech companies have also doubled down on the space. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that 80% of the company’s value comes from it Optimus humanoid robots in September Google Company DeepMind’s AI division released AI models for robotics in 2025, and Nvidia announced a partnership with Alphabet in March to work on physical AI.
Tech investors took notice. Robotics companies are set to raise a record $26.5 billion in 2025, according to deal-scoring platform Dealroom.
Taking energy seriously
To take advantage of AI, Europe needs to “get serious” about its energy supply to invest in the infrastructure layer, Huang said.
This region has the highest energy consumption in the world. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said energy costs will be an important factor in countries’ success. AI competition on Tuesday at the DEF.
“I think you have to get serious about increasing the energy supply to have a rich artificial intelligence ecosystem in Europe so that you can invest in the infrastructure layer,” Huang said.
Europe is struggling limited access to energy as hyperscalers try to spread AI infrastructure across the region.
That rapid construction shows no signs of slowing down, Huang said. AI has ushered in “the biggest infrastructure build in human history,” he told the WEF audience.
“Now we are spending several hundred billion dollars on it. There is a trillion dollar infrastructure that needs to be built.”