Jensen Huang tells Merz German firms must run physical and digital factories as AI reshapes production

Jensen Huang, chief executive of Nvidia, shared a specific manufacturing outlook during the Invest in Germany Summit held in Berlin. According to reports from Gizmodo, Huang addressed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Kraftwerk Berlin venue. The discussion focused on the future trajectory of industrial production and the role of digital integration in German manufacturing sectors.

What exactly did Jensen Huang say?

Huang stated that every single company in the future will have two factories: one that is real and one that is digital. He described the digital factory as a twin so real it might as well be physical. Huang told the audience that most people in Germany will mostly work inside these digital twins of their companies, focusing on building digital cars rather than physical ones.

How does this relate to his previous statements?

Gizmodo notes that this vision echoes a keynote Huang delivered last year, where he said every industry with factories will have two in the future. The Berlin remarks appear to be a less coherent version of that earlier concept, overlaid with a focus on Germany. The outlet suggests Huang may have combined vintage Nvidia talking points with a specific local context during his address.

What is the context of this event?

The remarks were made during a conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The event took place at the Kraftwerk Berlin, a former power station now used as a venue. Gizmodo characterized Huang’s speech as a "bizarre vision" and questioned the clarity of his message, noting that it was not entirely clear what practical dichotomy he intended to present to German companies.

What does this mean for operations?

Huang predicted that manufacturing will become completely software-driven and AI-driven. He envisioned factories using digital artificial intelligence robots to build cars that will be robotic. According to Huang, every company will build two things: brains, and the brains that go into the products they ship. This suggests a future where digital design and AI integration are central to production.

Questions to ask your suppliers

Operations teams should verify if vendors are integrating digital twin technologies into their supply chains. Check whether suppliers are relying on AI-driven manufacturing processes that could introduce new failure points. Confirm if their digital models match physical inventory accurately. Ensure that any software-driven production updates are communicated clearly. Teams usually need to align IT and OT strategies to manage these hybrid environments. Inform risk managers about potential dependencies on vendor digital infrastructure.

What to do and how to stay safe: Nvidia

• Review current supplier contracts for clauses regarding digital twin integration.
• Assess internal readiness for AI-driven manufacturing updates.
• Monitor vendor communications for changes in production methodologies.
• Verify that digital inventory records match physical stock levels.

Step-by-step guide: Browser Security Settings for Small Business Teams

General security guidance from the TechSec Feed newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

Where did Jensen Huang make these remarks?

He spoke at the Invest in Germany Summit in Berlin, at the Kraftwerk Berlin venue.

What did Huang say about German workers?

He stated that most people in Germany will mostly work inside a digital twin of their company.

What is the core of Huang's manufacturing vision?

Every company will have a real factory and a digital factory that is so real it might as well be real.