The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is just beginning, according to Dan Ives, Managing Director of Wedbush Securities, in a recent interview with CNBC. Despite a somewhat tepid sales forecast from chip designer Arm Holdings, Ives remains bullish on AI’s potential, describing it as a “fourth industrial revolution.”

Arm, which is known for designing the architecture of chips used in many mobile devices, saw its shares drop nearly 10% after delivering a less-than-enthusiastic revenue outlook. This has raised concerns among investors that the current AI spending spree may be cooling down. However, Ives believes otherwise, pointing out that the AI wave is only gaining momentum.

“The AI revolution has just started,” Ives emphasized. “You heard it there from the godfather of AI, Jensen [Huang, CEO of NVIDIA]. That tidal wave, that trillion dollars of spend is coming to the rest of tech.”

He pointed to the strong demand in companies like Microsoft, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), and others, which have embraced AI-driven strategies and tools. This demand, he said, is unlike anything the tech sector has seen since the early days of the internet.

“We’re seeing the early stages of a fourth industrial revolution playing out, being led by Jensen and NVIDIA,” Ives added.

Arm’s Forecast and the Nervous Market

Arm Holdings, known for designing chip architecture that powers many mobile devices, recently delivered a lukewarm sales forecast, triggering a nearly 10% drop in its share price. This decline has raised concerns among traders and investors about a possible cooling of the AI spending spree that has fueled excitement across the tech sector. However, Dan Ives, remains optimistic about Arm’s future and the overall trajectory of AI investments.

Ives acknowledged the market’s nervous reaction to Arm’s forecast but emphasized that this volatility is natural given the sector’s current pace of innovation. “You have to navigate the volatility and see the forest through the trees,” he said. “We’ve seen similar things with Microsoft and other names, where knee-jerk reactions can mislead investors.”

He pointed out that Arm’s growth forecast remains robust and that the company will play a crucial role in the AI ecosystem. “Despite the market reaction, it’s important to note that Arm’s forecast still represents solid growth,” he explained. “This demand is unlike anything we’ve seen since 1995, the start of the internet.”

Arm’s designs are critical in developing new AI-enabled devices, particularly in mobile and edge computing. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the company’s importance in the broader AI revolution. “I loved Arm then, and I love Arm today,” Huang said. “Everybody now realizes what a great franchise it is.”

While investors may remain cautious due to Arm’s sales outlook, Ives believes the company’s fundamental role in AI architecture will sustain its long-term growth. “The demand for AI technologies is only increasing, and Arm is well-positioned to capture a significant share of that market,” he added.

Furthermore, Huang noted that the computing landscape is undergoing the most significant shift since the invention of the IBM System/360 central processing units. “We’re going through the single greatest platform shift in computer history,” Huang emphasized. “It’s completely revolutionizing how software is done and what software can do.”

Despite short-term fluctuations, Ives believes the broader AI trend is still strong. He remains confident that Arm and companies like NVIDIA and Microsoft will continue to drive innovation in the rapidly expanding AI landscape.

“This is just the beginning of a fourth industrial revolution, and Arm will be a central player,” Ives concluded.

Tesla’s Role in the AI Revolution

While much of the AI revolution focuses on cloud computing and data centers, Tesla is determined to carve out its space in this rapidly evolving landscape. The electric vehicle (EV) giant is making strides in autonomous driving technology and is poised to disrupt traditional modes of transportation with its ambitious Robo Taxi initiative.

Dan Ives sees China as a pivotal market for Tesla’s autonomous driving aspirations. “China, in my opinion, is the heart and lungs of the Tesla story,” said Ives. “If you look at Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Robo Taxis, this is the first step to, ultimately, what we view as FSD and autonomous driving in China for Tesla and Musk.”

Tesla’s recent surprise visit to Beijing, where Elon Musk met with high-ranking officials, hints at the company’s strategic push into the Chinese market. Chinese state media has reported that Tesla plans to roll out its Robo Taxis in China, which could significantly enhance its presence in the world’s largest automotive market. “The golden goose for Tesla is autonomous driving and FSD in China,” Ives emphasized.

Tesla’s autonomous vehicle technology relies heavily on AI to navigate complex urban environments. The company has invested significantly in neural network training to enable its vehicles to recognize and respond to road signs, pedestrians, and other cars. “Tesla’s data advantage is key,” Ives noted. “They have millions of miles of real-world driving data, which allows their neural networks to improve and refine the FSD software continually.”

The company’s current Full Self-Driving beta program is a precursor to its Robo Taxi ambitions. By gathering data from participating vehicles and refining its algorithms, Tesla aims to perfect its autonomous driving technology before launching a fully operational Robo Taxi fleet. “This data-driven approach will be crucial in achieving true autonomy and realizing Musk’s vision for Robo Taxis,” added Ives.

However, Tesla is not without challenges. Regulatory hurdles and public skepticism remain significant barriers to widespread adoption. In addition, the EV market in China is fiercely competitive, with local players like Nio and Xpeng vying for dominance. Nevertheless, Ives remains optimistic about Tesla’s prospects. “Navigating challenges in the next few quarters will be critical, but the long-term potential is enormous,” he said.

The success of Tesla’s Robo Taxi initiative could have far-reaching implications for the automotive and tech industries, further cementing the company’s role as a leader in the AI revolution. “Tesla is more than just a car company,” Ives asserted. “It’s a technology company that is rewriting the rules of transportation and AI.”

NVIDIA and the AI Ecosystem

NVIDIA remains at the forefront of the AI revolution, shaping and defining the ecosystem with its industry-leading GPUs and software solutions. Jensen Huang, NVIDIA’s CEO and the so-called “godfather of AI,” has a bold vision for the company and the future of AI computing. “We are going through the single greatest platform shift in computer history,” said Huang. “Computing has not really changed since the IBM System 360 invented central processing units. Now, we are moving to generative AI, which is revolutionizing how software is created and what it can achieve.”

NVIDIA’s graphics processing units (GPUs) have become the backbone of the AI ecosystem, powering data centers, autonomous vehicles, and scientific research worldwide. The company’s recent launch of the H100 GPU, designed specifically for AI workloads, has accelerated the adoption of deep learning models and high-performance computing. Huang emphasized that these developments represent just the beginning. “We are in the early stages of a fourth industrial revolution, led by generative AI.”

A critical driver of NVIDIA’s success in AI has been its robust software ecosystem, particularly its CUDA platform. This parallel computing architecture allows developers to harness the full power of NVIDIA’s GPUs to build and optimize AI models at scale. “NVIDIA’s software stack is a game-changer,” said Dan Ives. “It’s why developers are flocking to their platform, and why NVIDIA remains the dominant force in AI computing.”

The acquisition of Arm Holdings, if it had gone through, would have added another layer to NVIDIA’s AI strategy. However, despite regulatory challenges and the eventual collapse of the deal, NVIDIA remains committed to leveraging Arm’s expertise in designing energy-efficient processors. “I loved Arm then, and I love Arm today,” Huang declared. “Everybody now realizes what a great franchise it is.”

NVIDIA has also been key in fostering partnerships across the AI ecosystem. Collaborations with cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure have expanded access to GPU computing, enabling enterprises to build and deploy AI models faster. Moreover, its partnerships with research institutions and universities have accelerated innovation in AI research, leading to breakthroughs in healthcare, climate science, and more.

Looking ahead, NVIDIA is exploring new frontiers in AI with its Omniverse platform. This collaborative 3D simulation platform enables creators, designers, and engineers to build and simulate virtual worlds. Huang believes Omniverse could revolutionize industries ranging from gaming and film to architecture and manufacturing. “The possibilities are limitless,” he said.

As the AI ecosystem continues to evolve, NVIDIA’s strategic positioning and technological leadership ensure it remains a driving force. Dan Ives succinctly encapsulated the company’s significance: “NVIDIA is not just leading the AI revolution; it is shaping the very fabric of what AI can achieve.”

The AI Revolution is Unmistakably Underway

The AI revolution is unmistakably underway, with key players like NVIDIA, Tesla, and Arm spearheading innovation in an industry poised to transform every aspect of modern life. Jensen Huang’s vision of a “single greatest platform shift in computer history” isn’t hyperbole; it’s an insight into a rapidly evolving technological landscape that will reshape how we live, work, and interact.

Dan Ives, managing director at Wedbush Securities, remains optimistic about the AI industry’s trajectory, emphasizing that the current market turbulence is temporary. “The AI trade is alive and well,” he said. “We are just at the beginning of this fourth industrial revolution, and the opportunity ahead is massive.” Despite short-term concerns around growth rates and sales forecasts, Ives believes the long-term potential remains immense.

With its cutting-edge GPUs and robust software ecosystem, NVIDIA continues to be at the forefront of the AI movement. Under Elon Musk’s leadership, Tesla is equally ambitious in its pursuit of autonomous driving, with China serving as a pivotal market in its robo-taxi push. Arm, though facing market volatility, is well-positioned to capitalize on the AI boom with its energy-efficient processors and strong foothold in mobile computing.

Companies increasingly recognize the need for collaboration and partnerships as the AI ecosystem matures. NVIDIA’s strategic alliances with cloud providers and research institutions exemplify how cooperation can drive technological progress. Similarly, Tesla’s partnerships with Chinese authorities and Arm’s collaborations with leading chip manufacturers underscore the industry’s interconnected nature.

However, challenges remain. Regulatory scrutiny, supply chain disruptions, and the rapid pace of technological change all pose risks that industry leaders must navigate carefully. Moreover, the societal implications of AI, including job displacement and ethical concerns, require thoughtful policy and governance.

Ultimately, the AI revolution represents an unparalleled innovation and economic growth opportunity. “We’re in the early stages of a paradigm shift,” said Huang. “The way we think about computing and problem-solving is changing fundamentally.”

Dan Ives is similarly enthusiastic: “This is a get-out-the-popcorn moment. The next decade will be defined by AI, and we’re just starting to see what’s possible.”

In this nascent stage of the AI revolution, those who can navigate the complexities of the market while fostering innovation and collaboration will emerge as the new giants of the digital age.