Jensen Huang arrived in Berlin on Wednesday with a blunt message for Europe: build the computing muscle for AI now, rather than trying to regulate an industry that has yet to fully take root. Nvidia’s chief executive urged a region he described as lagging to accelerate data-centre construction and secure the vast computing capacity its developers lack.¹

About 20 minutes into his keynote, Greenpeace protesters cut across that industrial vision. Holding a banner reading, “Nvidia, clean your dirty business!”, one activist challenged the company over alleged Nvidia components found in Russian weaponry and over environmental damage. Greenpeace said it wants Nvidia to extend its 100% renewable-energy target through its supply chain and audit whether its technology reaches military equipment.²

The protester’s reference was to Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence agency, which said in August that it had identified an Nvidia Jetson Orin module in a Russian S-71 Monochrome cruise missile. The agency did not accuse Nvidia of knowingly supplying Russia, and Nvidia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.²

Huang briefly allowed the interruption its moment. “Give her a chance,” he said as security escorted the protester away, adding that the issues were important before insisting: “let me get through my keynote.”²

He then returned to Nvidia’s answer for Europe: DSX POD, a modular system for AI factories, and OpenShell, intended to help companies run autonomous agents securely. The presentation echoed Huang’s warning the previous day to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: “There’s nothing to regulate if the industry doesn’t thrive.”²

By the finale, the confrontation gave way to comic disorder. Four Microduck robots from France’s Pollen Robotics were meant to nap and somersault on command; one wandered, tripped and had to be summoned back. “Pay attention! Stay focused,” Huang told it, drawing laughter before closing with an AI-generated robot Eurovision video.²