NVIDIA is embarking on a significant manufacturing initiative in the United States, marking the first time the company will produce AI supercomputers and chips domestically. This strategic move aims to ensure the security and reliability of the supply chain while enhancing the company's production capabilities and accelerating innovation. The company has partnered with leading manufacturing firms to design and build over one million square feet of production and testing facilities in Arizona and Texas. These new facilities will be dedicated to the production and testing of NVIDIA's cutting-edge Blackwell chips, which are integral to the company's AI supercomputers. These supercomputers are widely used in high-performance computing, deep learning, and data analysis, making them essential for various industries. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang emphasized that this decision will boost the company's ability to serve its clients and partners more efficiently, enhancing its global competitiveness. Huang stated that American manufacturing will provide greater flexibility, faster product deployment, and enhanced supply chain stability. The company also plans to create numerous high-tech jobs, benefiting the local economy and aligning with U.S. government strategies to bolster domestic semiconductor production. The move is part of a broader trend in the global semiconductor industry, where countries are increasingly investing in local chip manufacturing to diversify and secure their supply chains. The U.S. government has been actively supporting these efforts through various policies and funding initiatives. Huang highlighted the importance of this collaboration, noting that it has received strong support from the federal government. This initiative is expected to attract further investment from other tech companies, contributing to the rapid development of the U.S. semiconductor industry. In a related development, Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has been continuously upgrading its AI supercomputing infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of AI research and applications. In 2018, AIST launched the "AI Bridging Cloud Infrastructure" (ABCI) supercomputer to address the computational resource bottleneck in AI research. The first-generation ABCI system, designed and manufactured by Fujitsu, was a balanced solution that supported both traditional high-performance computing (HPC) tasks and large-scale deep learning training. It ranked fifth globally in terms of computational performance at the time. As AI technology advanced and demand grew, AIST decided to upgrade ABCI in 2022. The second-generation ABCI focuses on two key areas: boosting computational performance and optimizing storage and network infrastructure. The new system uses more powerful processors and higher-bandwidth interconnects, doubling its computational performance to 155.4 petaflops (quadrillion floating-point operations per second). The upgraded ABCI was deployed by the end of 2022 and began serving a broader range of research and commercial entities in early 2023. The applications of the second-generation ABCI are diverse, spanning healthcare, transportation, and energy. In healthcare, it aids in accelerating drug discovery and precision medicine by analyzing vast amounts of genomic data and clinical records. In transportation, ABCI optimizes route planning and traffic management, enhancing urban efficiency. In the energy sector, it supports research to improve energy utilization and sustainability. Industry experts are optimistic about the impact of the upgraded ABCI on Japan's AI landscape. Norman Kimura, CTO of a leading Japanese tech company, commented that the second-generation ABCI is a significant milestone for AI research and development. He noted that the system's enhanced computational power and efficient storage capabilities will enable faster processing of large datasets, giving Japan a competitive edge in international AI markets. Kimura also highlighted the importance of the open policy, which encourages innovation and collaboration across various industries. AIST, as one of Japan's largest research institutions, has a long-standing commitment to advancing technology and fostering innovation. It houses multiple research centers focusing on areas such as information and communication, materials, energy, and the environment. The continuous evolution of the ABCI project exemplifies AIST's dedication to the AI field, driving Japan's tech ecosystem forward. Both NVIDIA's and AIST's initiatives underscore the critical role of advanced manufacturing and computational infrastructure in the AI industry. These efforts not only enhance the capabilities of the respective organizations but also contribute to the broader goals of supply chain security, technological leadership, and economic growth in their respective countries. The strategic alignment with government policies and the creation of high-tech jobs are key drivers of these advancements. The push towards domestic production in the U.S. and the continuous investment in supercomputing in Japan reflect a global trend where nations are prioritizing the development and control of AI technology. This trend is likely to accelerate as more countries recognize the strategic and economic importance of being at the forefront of AI research and application.