Mark Zuckerberg’s Asia Tour: From AI to Ambani Wedding Party
Mark Zuckerberg is gearing up for a bustling week in Asia, with his itinerary spanning Japan, South Korea, and India. His agenda includes delving into artificial intelligence services and fostering connections with regional business and government leaders.
Beginning his Asian expedition, Meta Platforms Inc.’s CEO has been in Japan, blending a family ski trip with professional endeavors. Scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, Zuckerberg is set to convene with the company’s developers in Tokyo. Discussions will revolve around Meta’s Quest virtual-reality headsets and its prominent language model Llama, a key contender against OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Next on the agenda is a stop in Seoul on Wednesday, where Zuckerberg plans to engage with partners. While specifics remain undisclosed, it’s speculated that he may meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Additionally, discussions with Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Jay Y. Lee and LG Electronics Inc.’s CEO are anticipated, focusing on AI collaboration and potential joint development of extended reality hardware.
Notably, Meta and Samsung have previously collaborated on virtual-reality endeavors, including Zuckerberg’s appearance at Samsung’s Unpacked event in 2016. This partnership underscores Meta’s commitment to AI advancement and strategic alliances in the tech landscape.
Zuckerberg’s visit to Seoul aligns with Meta’s intensified focus on AI, competing with industry giants like OpenAI and Microsoft Corp. in this domain. The company’s ambitious AI roadmap necessitates significant computational infrastructure, with plans to integrate 350,000 H100 chips from Nvidia Corp. by the end of 2024.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Samsung’s establishment of an “AGI Computing Lab” in Silicon Valley, signaling the company’s dedication to advancing semiconductor technology for future AI capabilities.
Concluding his Asian tour, Zuckerberg will head to Jamnagar, Gujarat in India, to partake in the pre-wedding celebrations of Mukesh Ambani’s son, Anant Ambani. The three-day extravaganza, starting from March 1, is expected to attract luminaries from business, technology, and entertainment spheres.
As Zuckerberg navigates through Asia, his engagements underscore the evolving landscape of technology, AI innovation, and strategic partnerships in the global arena.
