Nvidia has postponed a two-day AI Summit scheduled to be held in Israel in a week due to worries for the attendees’ safety and welfare.
The number of Israelis killed by Hamas strikes has increased to 600, with 2,000+ being injured and more than 100 hostages abducted. According to data from the Gaza Health Ministry, 370 Palestinians were killed and 2,200 injured by Israeli bombings in retaliation.
AI is one of the hottest computer topics right now, and businesses are riding the wave just like some did with cryptocurrencies a few years ago.
The Nvidia AI Summit was slated to take place at EXPO Tel Aviv on October 15 and 16. Israel is home to a large number of AI hardware and software researchers and engineers, and many more are expected there in the near future to “unlock new skills, discover the latest in accelerated computing, and redefine what tomorrow will bring.”
Despite its disappointment, Nvidia claims that the cancellation was the only feasible option for the “safety and wellbeing of our participants.” The possibility of a virtual or online version of the AI Summit is unknown, and it is far too early to discuss the possibility of moving the in-person event.