US President Donald Trump, during his second state visit to Britain, addressed a gathering of prominent business and technology leaders in London, hosted alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Amid discussions on US-UK ties and billions in pledged investments, Trump humorously admitted his limited understanding of artificial intelligence (AI), remarking that it was “taking over the world” and hoping tech executives like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who was present, grasped its complexities better than he did.

A significant highlight of the event was the signing of a pivotal “Tech Prosperity Deal” between the US and the UK. This agreement outlines plans for intensified cooperation in emerging technologies, encompassing initiatives such as the development of AI models for healthcare, advancements in quantum computing, and the modernization of nuclear programs. As a direct outcome of this deal, Nvidia committed to deploying 120,000 GPUs in Britain, marking the company’s largest rollout across Europe.

In a parallel and equally impactful move, Nvidia unveiled a substantial $5 billion investment in Intel, coupled with a strategic collaboration on new products. This partnership will see the two technology giants work together on designing custom data centers to support advanced AI systems and developing processors for personal computers. Nvidia's plan involves purchasing Intel stock at $23.28 per share, pending regulatory approval, a move crucial for Intel as it endeavors to regain its footing after several years of decline.

This collaboration represents a significant boost for Intel, a company that once formed the foundation of personal computing but has since struggled to keep pace, notably missing the smartphone revolution triggered by Apple’s iPhone in 2007 and subsequently lagging in the burgeoning AI hardware race. Conversely, Nvidia has ascended to become the world’s most valuable company. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, lauded the partnership as a “historic collaboration” that integrates Nvidia’s AI and accelerated computing stack with Intel’s CPUs and the expansive x86 ecosystem, aiming to expand their respective ecosystems and lay the groundwork for the next generation of computing. The market reacted positively, with Intel’s shares surging 30% in premarket trading, while Nvidia’s stock experienced a nearly 3% rise.

Beyond these partnerships, the US regulatory environment is intensifying its focus on competition within the AI sector. Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater, speaking at a New York conference, indicated that the US Justice Department is actively monitoring for anticompetitive behaviors. Her remarks highlighted the competitive dynamics across the AI stack, with particular scrutiny on “exclusionary behaviour that forecloses access to key inputs and distribution channels” as legitimate areas for antitrust inquiry. She further emphasized that a truly open-source model should not be unilaterally maintained by a single vendor exerting undue influence or imposing restrictions.

Access to data has emerged as a key area of concern. A recent federal court order in Washington mandated Google to share some of its search data with rivals, including AI companies, aiming to foster a more level playing field in online search, though Google has announced its intention to appeal this ruling. Slater's comments underscore a continuous governmental concern; antitrust officials under both President Trump and President Joe Biden have examined big tech's relationships with AI startups, illustrating that ensuring competition is considered central to the future development and accessibility of AI across administrations.