Jensen Huang's 'AI Universe' After 4 Hours of Waiting... Applause Erupts as Leather Jacket Appears

Computex 2024 opened spectacularly with a keynote speech by Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA. Held at the National Taiwan University Sports Center in downtown Taipei on the evening of the 2nd, Huang's keynote felt like a "prelude" to the official opening. Although the official opening day was the 3rd, Taiwan was already heating up a day earlier with Huang's keynote.

On the 2nd, many people gathered at the National Taiwan University Sports Center where Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, delivered the keynote speech. Photo by Hyungmin Kim

Pregnant Women and Grandmothers Waited 4 Hours for the Keynote

Despite the heavy rain and bad weather, a large crowd gathered near National Taiwan University in Taipei to watch CEO Huang's keynote speech. The area around the National Taiwan University Sports Center became lively around 5 to 6 PM. As the official entry began, countless people lined up in two long rows. The lines extended past the university campus entrance to the roadside. According to citizens met on site, most had to wait three to four hours to enter. Although they had to endure waiting in the rain under umbrellas, most faces were not unhappy. Among those who came to listen to the keynote was a pregnant woman. Tienci, wearing a white maternity dress and holding her husband's hand tightly, said with a smile, "It's a chance to see CEO Huang up close, and since my home is nearby, I couldn't miss it."

On the 2nd, people wearing umbrellas are lining up and waiting to enter the National Taiwan University Sports Center where Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, delivered the keynote speech. Photo by Hyungmin Kim

On the 2nd, people wearing umbrellas are lining up and waiting to enter the National Taiwan University Sports Center, where Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, delivered the keynote speech. Photo by Hyungmin Kim

Inside the gymnasium, which can accommodate 25,000 people, nearly 10,000 attendees filled the seats from the 1st to the 4th floor. When CEO Huang appeared on stage, thunderous applause erupted. Cheers and whistles were also heard. People applauded after each of Huang's remarks and responded with big laughs when he made jokes. Everyone raised their smartphones high to capture even his smallest gestures and movements. Most of the audience appeared to be university students and office workers, but there were also many elderly grandfathers and grandmothers, drawing attention. Under the dazzling lights, with songs and videos mixed in, Huang, wearing his trademark black leather jacket, took the stage to cheers, resembling a rock star concert venue.

Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, is explaining the business trends that will change with the advent of the AI era and the projects NVIDIA is currently pursuing at the National Taiwan University Sports Center on the 2nd. Photo by NVIDIA Newsroom

IT Titans Gather in Taiwan

In addition to CEO Huang, global IT industry leaders are expected to gather at this year's Computex, attracting significant attention from the industry. Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, Cristiano Amon, CEO of Qualcomm, and Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel, will also take the stage. They are expected to showcase next-generation technologies and related products that are anticipated or planned for development in PCs. Computex is Asia's largest IT industry exhibition, held since 1981. It ranks among the top five alongside the US CES (Consumer Electronics Show). Organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and the Taipei Computer Association (TCA), the event runs from the 4th to the 7th at the Nangang Exhibition Center in Taipei, Taiwan.