Nvidia CEO Teases Future Plans for Desktop Chip Developed with MediaTek

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At CES 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang revealed that the company has plans for a new desktop central processor (CPU) co-designed with MediaTek. The CPU was unveiled as part of Nvidia’s “Project DIGITS” desktop, which features Nvidia’s latest “Blackwell” AI chip and is priced at $3,000. While the desktop is currently targeting AI developers and is not yet a mass-market product, the collaboration with MediaTek aims to bring an energy-efficient CPU to a broader market.

Huang emphasized that MediaTek would be able to sell the CPU to other markets, and Nvidia’s collaboration is mutually beneficial. “They could provide that to us, and they could keep that for themselves and serve the market. It was a great win-win,” Huang explained. The CPU is designed to challenge the dominance of Intel, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Qualcomm in the consumer and business computer markets.

Nvidia is currently targeting AI developers with Project DIGITS, which runs a Linux-based operating system designed for AI workloads. Huang also hinted at future plans for the desktop CPU but did not disclose specifics. However, he mentioned Nvidia’s strategy to bridge the gap between the Linux OS commonly used by AI developers and Windows, the widely used consumer OS, through the Windows Subsystem for Linux.

“We’re going to make that a mainstream product,” Huang said, noting that Nvidia would support it with professional-grade software, and PC manufacturers would bring the product to end users.

Amazon to Invest $11 Billion in Georgia for AI and Cloud Computing Infrastructure

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Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud computing division of Amazon, has announced a significant $11 billion investment in Georgia to enhance its infrastructure and support the growing demand for AI technologies and cloud computing services. This move is part of a broader trend where major tech companies are allocating large sums to develop infrastructure that can accommodate the increasing needs of artificial intelligence.

The investment in Georgia will focus on data centers in Butts and Douglas counties, with Amazon expecting the project to create at least 550 new high-skilled jobs. These centers will support AI-driven innovations and cloud-based applications, which require substantial computing power. The demand for specialized data centers is rising as AI applications, such as machine learning and generative models, rely on clusters of chips to process vast amounts of data.

The growth in AI and cloud services has also led to an increase in electricity consumption in the U.S., as AI data centers consume large amounts of energy. According to an analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute, data centers could account for up to 9% of the total electricity generated in the U.S. by the end of the decade, depending on AI adoption rates. To meet this demand, Amazon has secured power supply agreements with U.S. utilities, including Talen Energy in Pennsylvania and Entergy in Mississippi.

This investment follows similar moves by other tech giants, such as Microsoft’s announcement to invest $80 billion in the development of data centers for AI models and applications. These initiatives underline the critical need for robust infrastructure to sustain the rapid growth of AI technologies.

 

White House Launches Cyber Trust Mark for Smart Devices to Rate Security

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The White House has introduced a new initiative aimed at helping consumers assess the cybersecurity of internet-connected devices. The Cyber Trust Mark, a stylized shield logo featuring microchip-style detailing, will be applied to products such as smart thermostats, baby monitors, app-controlled lights, and other IoT devices. The label is designed to provide a quick, easily recognizable guide to the security of these devices, similar to food labeling by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Energy Star rating on appliances.

For a product to receive the Cyber Trust Mark, manufacturers must ensure their devices meet cybersecurity criteria set by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), verified through compliance testing by accredited laboratories. As more everyday products, from fitness trackers to security cameras and even ovens, become internet-connected, the potential for cybersecurity vulnerabilities increases, posing privacy and safety risks.

Anne Neuberger, the U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber, emphasized that each connected device could become a potential target for cyber attackers. The Cyber Trust Mark is voluntary for manufacturers, but Neuberger hopes it will encourage consumers to prioritize security by choosing products with the label. She also suggested that consumers might demand the label when purchasing connected devices to ensure their privacy isn’t compromised.

Initially, the Cyber Trust Mark will focus on consumer products like cameras, with plans to extend to home and office routers and smart meters. Devices bearing the label are expected to appear on store shelves later this year. Additionally, the White House is preparing an executive order that will restrict U.S. government purchases to only those products carrying the Cyber Trust Mark, starting in 2027. The initiative has garnered bipartisan support.