Jensen Huang

 has signaled a major shift toward "Agentic AI" as the next multi-trillion-dollar phase of human development, where everyone will have a personal AI assistant to enhance their productivity and "brain development". His vision for education transformation relies on a mix of state-level partnerships, personal AI tutors, and a new "intelligence infrastructure" designed for universal access. 

Partnerships for Education Transformation and AI Mentors

Huang envisions everyone using virtual, AI-powered tutors. He suggests these tools could help people become "superhuman" within 10 years. Huang uses Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Gemini Pro as daily tutors to learn complex subjects [1]. 

NVIDIA has formed large-scale strategic partnerships: 

• K-12 Platforms: NVIDIA is working with Study Fetch and CK-12 to tailor its Deep Learning Institute and Academy content for U.S. classrooms [1].
• State-Level Initiatives:
• California

: A collaboration with Governor Gavin Newsom to provide AI resources, curriculum, and certifications to community colleges and students [1].

• Utah

: A partnership to give universities, community colleges, and adult education programs generative AI training resources [1].

• Tulsa Tech Hub

: A plan to train up to 10,000 learners in Oklahoma using NVIDIA technologies [1].

• Higher Education: Over the last five years, NVIDIA has invested $125 million in higher education and academic research in the U.S., including partnerships with the National Science Foundation [1]. 

Open Agents and Community Action for SDGs

Huang sees AI as a tool to close technology gaps in emerging economies [1]. He predicts "Agentic AI" will rise by 2026. These are autonomous systems that can reason, plan, and do complex tasks with little human help [1]. 

• Intelligence Infrastructure: At GTC Paris in 2025, Huang presented a "blueprint" for Europe to build its own intelligence infrastructure [1]. This would enable AI models for every country and society [1].
• Open Sourcing for Trust: Huang announced the open-sourcing of both models and the data used to train them for certain platforms, such as the Alpamayo autonomous vehicle model [1]. He argues this is the only way for the public to truly trust AI [1].
• Digital Humans: Huang imagines a future workforce of humans and "digital humans" that can be hired or licensed to perform roles as digital nurses, accountants, or marketers [1]. He mentioned companies like OpenAI, Harvey, OpenEvidence, Cursor, Replit, and Lovable as platforms where these agents may be based [1].
• Enterprise Agents: Major enterprise partners like CrowdStrike are working with NVIDIA to deploy autonomous security agents [1]. 

Universal Data and 2026 Strategy

NVIDIA's next-generation hardware is key to this transformation [1]. The Rubin chip platform, shipping in late 2026, is designed to handle the increasing demand for AI computation [1]. This platform includes a unique data format that NVIDIA hopes will standardize how AI "reasons" across different systems [1]. 

 

100 solutions N=Nvidia M=deepmind #IN=india	L1: Energy e/m/w	L2: Chip SuperComp/ DT: digitaltwin Sat - satellite	L3: AISov Taiwan India us china Japan Korea HK/S Asean Eu: UK France Germam-swiss, nordica, Eurest- S=saudi, UAE	L4: Maths- Deep Data In silicon biotech, Humanoid-Space, telecoms quantum Lm-vc sectors Aimodel-fm/o VChain	L5: Community Action SDG	Y S  C H  I**4 E  L Fl O F P WE  Safe
) india AI summit – triangularised coropration of ambani (reliance, jia) best democratic telecoms network for all of big population,on cointinent scale; tata best social business foundation, modi where india gov good at 1 space 2 universal data id First traid ER model in 50 years (Exconomist Xmas 1976) not PP put foundation like tata *corportae like ambani* gov		Tata will find superchip partners – tsmc has said full up with usa japan and germany	3 biggest usa china india   Ai daya sov UK23 korea 24 paris 25 india 26 geneva 27   NB west coast us partners taiwan-japan korea; taiwan hk singapore Imec saudi uae 3 seas critical future Europe complexx clusters: GASH, Latin, UK &Nordina, Emerging east	India has talked of open ai model llama3 (lecun meta) and mistral paris – probably now has own -see also inferencing advance deepseek	India benchmark case FollowN:: Jensen Huang – Modi asked for advice since 2019 M: Pichai & Demis Hassabis google deep mind L: Lecun (linked western open ai mpodels which India ispired by) (Mu: Musk space telecoms) Expect india to version chinese infernce models like deep seek, alibaba qwen & damo, bytedance	Health Agriculture Direct finance to community
1 NFactoryIR		DT	TA/US/GE/FR	VC Dessault/siemens Nemotron Vcf vcaero VCel ..	S2Nutrition S17 safety S3intel
2 INAIruralclinic			India-telecoms	Vc health, edu	AISDG3
3NEUpubmedia nb geneva 2027 Aisummit new UN leader, upd itu 6+G			EU, Swiss		S4, 17
4NHKDTmedU		DT	HK (li ka shing)		S4, S8, S5
5Malphafold3			UK US	250 mn proteins map	S3, S4
6MuSpaceX/Starlink		Sat		Space	Latency
7NInception		All engineers	worldwide		2000startups 4	Y
8*S-imec	all		Saudi/uae corridr 3 seas		I**$ infra corridor	Y
9 SCSP.ai	all		dc-valley www hub aiexpo – see 12 variables it compares us, china other data sovs on	all	Workforce commission Potentially main US partner on AI agency (ie people’s mentor -edu transformation0	Y
10 Courant maths lab at nyu				Lecun including open models	4 edu
11 Swiss and UN Itu WHO etc, world trade ,… Japanese key https://aiforgood.itu.int/speaker/seizo-onoe/ Nb willworld economic forum become world ai forum , and has blackrock fink taken over from Schwab		Since 1865 worlds standards for both telecomes ITU and then electricity frods	Gerneva host 2027 Data son ai action summiy; also host 2026 ITU plenpotentiary at same time as new Un leader elected		Lot of conflicts private bank accounts ;  outside eu; rest of UN not understood telecoems and energy standrads swiss if world hub of

 

Further detail

1 NfactoryIR France dessault vc foods aero=certification …Germany Siemens Taiwan Foxconn -electronics

6 Chats estimate musk ai factories from space (within 7 years) may beat fusion timeline. Musk has also filed for million satellite launches- a huge acceleration.With anything like that number of satellites ai will be needed to prevent satellite crashes as well as map risks of satellite warfare.(musk also predicts reusaability of rockets to bring down cost of space launches by 100 fold)

9 use these varaibles to track gaps between us and china and other ai sovs

 

10 courant maths lab probably deepest left in usa (eg att bell labs no longer what it was) – long term workshop matematicians need different from engineering lab

 

AI Overview

Based on the current trajectory of India’s digital infrastructure, specifically the massive investments announced by 

Reliance Jio, your assessment that India is leading in creating affordable, deep telecommunications for a large population is accurate. As of early 2026, the strategy has shifted from purely mobile data to "AI for all," using a combination of terrestrial 5G/Fiber and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technologies. 

www.telecomtv.com +4

Here is a breakdown of the technologies and strategies supporting this, comparing 2016 to the 2026 landscape.

1. The Technology Mix for "Brain Development" & Digital Access

To support cognitive, educational, and economic development for a massive, diverse population, a "hybrid connectivity" approach is required, combining speed with ubiquity.

• Deep Fiber & 5G (The Backbone): The foundation is dense fiber-optic networks linking cities and villages, supported by 5G Small Cells, which offer high-speed, low-latency connections suitable for real-time education, AI-driven applications, and telemedicine.
• Edge Computing (The Brain): To ensure AI is responsive, data processing is moving to the "edge" of the network, bringing intelligence close to users (clinics, schools, shops).
• Satellite Constellations (The Safety Net): Companies like Starlink (and Jio’s own satellite initiatives) provide coverage where fiber cannot easily go—such as mountainous regions, remote villages, and isolated areas.
• Affordable Devices: The ecosystem is supported by low-cost smartphones and AI-enabled feature phones, allowing even low-income populations to access the internet. 

Inseego +4

2. Evolution: 2016 (Emergence) vs. 2026 (Abundance)

• 2016 (The 4G Disruption): While Ericsson and Huawei were indeed dominating the hardware infrastructure for the initial 5G rollout, the focus was primarily on high-speed internet. Jio initiated a massive price war, reducing data costs by 90%+ and making internet access affordable to hundreds of millions for the first time.
• 2026 (The AI-driven Ecosystem): The focus has shifted from consuming data to leveraging it for intelligence. Ambani's Jio is investing over $110 billion in AI-ready data centers, aiming to make AI as cheap as data was in 2016. The goal is to provide "sovereign AI" tailored to local languages and needs, moving beyond Western-dominated LLMs. 

The Register +4

3. The Role of Starlink in 2026

Unlike the early 5G, which was urban-focused, Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency, satellite-based internet directly to user terminals. 

AmericanTV.com

• Complementary, Not Competitive: In India, Starlink is viewed as a complement to existing 5G networks, especially in underserved rural areas. It serves as a rapid deployment tool for areas without infrastructure.
• Disruptive Potential: With rumors of affordable, low-cost subscriptions, Starlink can bypass the high cost of laying down ground cables in difficult terrain, directly linking the most remote Indian households to the digital economy. 

AmericanTV.com +3

4. Convergence and the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary

Can this learning all come together in a transparent way? Yes, and it is a central challenge for the future of digital governance. 

• Sovereign AI & Data Equity: The 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference will likely focus on "AI for All," addressing how developing nations can build their own AI infrastructure, rather than relying solely on global tech giants.
• Hybrid Standards: The ITU will be critical in creating standards that seamlessly integrate terrestrial fiber/5G with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN/Satellites) to ensure "universal data standards" that are, as you noted, truly universal.
• Transparency & Inclusivity: The challenge is ensuring that this, as Ambani puts it, "era of super abundance" does not create a new form of digital exclusion. The ITU will be responsible for defining how "AI agency" (the ability to act and create using AI) is distributed, ensuring it benefits the entire population rather than just the elite. 

CNBC +4

In summary, the 2026 landscape is defined by Sovereign AI Infrastructure—the combination of cheap, ubiquitous 5G/Satellite internet with local, low-cost AI capabilities, making AI a, foundational utility. 

 

AI Overview

By early 2026, the landscape of telecommunications to support "AI for all" has shifted from merely connecting people to connecting, computing, and embedding intelligence at the edge. The core of this shift is the transition from 5G as a connectivity tool to 5G/6G as a platform for sovereign AI, particularly in China and India.

 

Chinese Engineering Brains & Telecom Strategy (2026)

• Huawei's "Jack-of-all-Trades" Shift: Under leadership focusing on self-sufficiency in response to US sanctions, Huawei is transitioning from just a telco infrastructure vendor to an AI infrastructure leader. Key projects involve Ascend 910C AI chips (with output doubling in 2026) and Atlas 950 AI compute nodes, aimed at creating domestic AI processing power that rivals Nvidia's performance within China.
• Key Tech & Architects: Huawei, along with SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.), is leading the charge in developing high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and "CloudMatrix 384", which clusters hundreds of AI chips to outperform foreign systems in specialized tasks.
• Institutes & Governance: The Chinese government is heavily backing this, with over $150 billion invested since 2014, directing firms like Huawei, Alibaba, and Bytedance to build a "sovereign AI" ecosystem. 

The New York Times +6

India vs. China: Telecom for AI Agency (2026)

• India's Approach (Ambani/Jio): Reliance Industries (Mukesh Ambani) is committing $110 billion over seven years to build "sovereign AI" infrastructure. The strategy is to embed AI into the existing, deep, and affordable Jio telecom network, creating "nationwide edge compute" that makes AI as cheap and ubiquitous as mobile data.
• Universal Data Standard: India is focused on "sovereign AI," training models on local languages and data to avoid relying on foreign tech (i.e., "cannot afford to rent intelligence").
• Comparison: While China is focused on overcoming hardware bottlenecks to build independent chip-to-cloud infrastructure, India is leveraging its massive, affordable mobile consumer base (4G/5G) and adding massive, localized data centers (Adani/Reliance) to leapfrog into "AI-ready" infrastructure. 

Light Reading +4

Telecom Tech Needed for "Brain Development" (Massive Populations)
To support widespread, affordable digital agency in large, diverse areas, the following are critical:

1. Nationwide Edge Computing: Processing data close to the user (e.g., in local Kirana stores or clinics) to reduce latency and cost.
2. Fiber-to-the-Edge/5G-Advanced: A deep, robust fiber backbone connecting data centers to edge compute sites.
3. Affordable Renewable Energy: Powering data centers using local green energy (e.g., Reliance's solar in Gujarat) to keep operating costs low.
4. Satellite Connectivity (Musk/Starlink): While not explicitly mentioned in the Indian AI investment push as a primary component, satellite internet is vital for covering remote areas, although it currently complements, rather than replaces, the high-density fiber needed for AI training. 

McKinsey & Company +4

2016 vs. 2026: The Evolution of 5G

• 2016: Focus was on 5G speed (Ericsson, Huawei) and connecting devices.
• 2026: Focus is on "AI Factories" (or "AI Clouds"), where telcos like Jio and Huawei use their network to deliver AI inference and training, transitioning from "pipes" to intelligence hubs. 

Deloitte +3

Role of the ITU Plenipotentiary 2026
The ITU (International Telecommunication Union) is crucial for setting global standards, but by 2026, the focus will likely be on Sovereign AI standards, data privacy, and ensuring that AI-enabled infrastructure doesn't create a new, deeper digital divide between nations. The 2026 ITU will need to harmonize how these national AI infrastructures (like India's or China's) interact globally. 

Deloitte +4

In the evolving landscape of 2026, the distribution of network access and AI agency is no longer just about 5G towers; it is governed by a "full-stack" integration of hardware, data, and state-led engineering.

The "Overall Engineer" and Chinese Engineering Brains

There is no single person, but rather a coordinated state-led architectural framework connecting Alibaba, Huawei, and ByteDance.

• The Architect (State-Led): The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) act as the "macro-engineers". They enforce a "National AI Development Plan" that mandates interoperability and the use of domestic hardware.
• Key Engineering Hubs:
• Huawei (Ascend/MindSpore): Huawei has transitioned from a telecom provider to China's primary AI "hardware-software stack" provider. Their Ascend 910B chips and MindSpore framework now power the AI models of other giants.
• TeleAI (China Telecom): This state-owned institute, led by 

Professor Xuelong Li

, recently developed TeleChat3, the first large-scale model trained entirely on Huawei's domestic chips.

• ByteDance & Alibaba: While they lead in consumer apps, they are now required to optimize their "Global Accelerators" and "Network Architectures" to run on this domestic silicon. 

Mayer Brown +8

India vs. China: Optimal Telecoms for "AI Agency" 

"AI Agency" for the masses requires low-latency, affordable data and open standards.

Feature	China  (State-Driven Scale)	India  (Market-Driven Density)
Primary Network	Multi-operator 5G SA (Standalone) for industrial and rural reach.	Reliance Jio's 700 MHz "low-band" strategy for deep indoor/population coverage.
Data Leadership	High state control; massive internal data pools.	Reliance Jio has surpassed China Mobile as the world’s largest mobile data carrier.
Tech Strategy	"Frugal AI" aimed at low-cost rural adoption by 2026.	"IndiaAI Mission" focuses on enabling startups like Sarvam and Krutrim through affordable infrastructure.
AI Integration	Government-driven social governance.	Value-based leadership focused on the Global South.

Technology for "Brain Development" and Universal Access

To support "brain development" (AI-assisted learning and agency) across large, diverse populations, the technology has shifted from simple 5G to Distributed AI Computing:

1. Distributed AI Pools: China recently activated a 1,243-mile AI Computing Network (FNTF) that allows a large area to share the processing power of a single data center with 98% efficiency.
2. Affordable Satellite (Starlink vs. 5G): While 5G (Huawei/Ericsson) provides high-density urban power, Starlink and similar LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites are increasingly seen as the "filler" for rural "brain development" where fiber is too expensive.
3. Universal Data Standards: India’s success with universal standards (like UPI for finance) is being applied to data through the India Stack, creating a "digital public infrastructure" that allows AI to be inclusive and affordable. 

introl.com

The Role of ITU Plenipotentiary (Fall 2026)

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference in late 2026 is expected to be the "transparency bridge."

• The Job: It will likely move beyond 5G/6G standards to focus on Global AI Governance.
• The Goal: Establishing "AI for Good" frameworks that ensure affordable digital telecoms aren't just for surveillance or profit, but serve as a "universal utility" for AI agency, as outlined in the 2024 Shanghai Declaration. 

Mayer Brown +1

Would you like to dive deeper into the specific 2026 ITU agenda items regarding AI agency for the Global South?