Nvidia has unveiled plans to invest in four German startups, stepping up efforts to expand artificial intelligence investment in Europe, CNBC reported on Oct. 20 local time.

The investment was announced as Germany accelerates efforts to strengthen its industrial AI competitiveness. Nvidia said at the Invest in Germany Summit in Berlin on Oct. 20 that it would support the German startups Agile Robots, Avelios Medical, Mirelo AI and Reflex Aerospace. It did not disclose the size of the investment. The plan is part of Nvidia’s investment initiative after it said it would invest about $10 billion across companies, universities and research institutes across Europe.

The companies selected for support have relatively clear areas for industrial AI deployment. Agile Robots develops AI robots for manufacturing, logistics and healthcare, while Avelios Medical makes hospital operations software. Mirelo develops AI models that generate audio for video, and Reflex Aerospace designs and manufactures satellites. The investments are concentrated in areas tied to Germany’s industrial base, spanning manufacturing, healthcare, media and the space industry.

The German government is also officially pushing the adoption of AI in industrial settings. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (프리드리히 메르츠) said Germany should become a leading country in integrating AI into key industries. He cited manufacturing, machinery and the auto industry as major application areas and called for direct action by small and midsized companies as well. He said, "Open the door to AI so it can use your data," adding, "Using all the data companies already have is Germany’s real secret and strength."

Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang (젠슨 황) also stressed that Germany’s industrial competitiveness would be strengthened, not weakened, by AI. Huang said, "Germany has strengths in manufacturing and in mathematics and science," adding, "AI does not replace capabilities, it can only augment capabilities." He added, "For companies, AI will be a new tool."

Policy cooperation is also moving in parallel. Nvidia decided to expand cooperation with the German federal government and the Industry 4.0 Platform. The platform is a consultative body involving people from government, industry, research institutes and trade associations. The German government also signed a joint letter of intent with Nvidia on Oct. 20 to advance industrial AI models.

German industry is also presenting cases of deployment on the ground. Siemens on the same day unveiled a new AI solution developed with Nvidia at its plant in Erlangen, Germany. Siemens said it can cut engineering work in the production preparation process by up to 85 percent and reduce costs by up to 20 percent through AI-based production planning.

Nvidia’s push in Europe is not limited to Germany. Huang earlier visited France and announced plans to invest in four French startups, and discussed AI development plans with French President Emmanuel Macron. Huang is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech in Berlin on Oct. 22. Against this backdrop, Nvidia is expanding the scope of local investment and cooperation based on demand from European governments and industry for AI transformation.