Engineering Impact: A Week of Innovation in Silicon Valley
Categories: QEPrize
Images: NVIDIA and QEPrize
In October, the QEPrize team along with Royal Academy of Engineering colleagues went to California for a celebration of engineering innovation, global collaboration, and visionary leadership. It began with a meaningful dialogue on future partnerships with National Academy of Engineering President and QEPrize judge Tsu-Jae Liu, National Academy of Engineering Chair Admiral James Ellis, and Guru Madhavan. These conversations underscored the shared commitment to championing engineering’s role in solving the world’s greatest challenges.
![[Left to right] QEPrize Laureate Dr Bill Dally, QEPrize Chair of Trustees Lord Vallance of Balham, QEPrize Laureate and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, and QEPrize Laureate Dr Fei-Fei Li](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/galleries/NVIDIA-visit/queen-elizabeth-award-delegation-debs-D1001919.jpg?w=400&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1761738523&s=77e78908f51e95b0d9cf0131b0e6e159)
One highlight of the trip was the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Laureate Reception, hosted at NVIDIA’s state-of-the-art headquarters in Santa Clara. Alongside QEPrize CEO Dr Hayaatun Sillem, Royal Academy of Engineering President Sir John Lazar, and UK Consul-General for California Eleanor Kiloh, we explored NVIDIA’s demo lab and autonomous vehicle garage - an inspiring showcase of how AI reasoning models are delivering real-world impact.
Jensen Huang, NVIDIA’s CEO and one of our QEPrize 2025 Laureates, not only shared his vision for AI that “just works,” but he also spoke passionately about the responsibility of leaders to inspire confidence in ambitious goals and reflected on the profound honour of receiving what many call the “Nobel Prize for Engineering.”
QEPrize Chair Lord Vallance of Balham reminded us all why recognising engineers is more important than ever - especially as their work continues to shape the future in transformative ways.
NVIDIA visit. Image: NVIDIA
The week also included the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub’s Explore mission, which connects pioneering entrepreneurs with investors, corporates, and thought leaders. The energy and determination of these founders was nothing short of inspiring.
We concluded with a celebratory dinner hosted by Sir John Lazar at Nobu Hotel Palo Alto, bringing together Laureates, Explore mission participants, Hub mentors, and Academy Fellows. Bill Dally’s closing advice to the entrepreneurs was the perfect finale to a week that truly honoured the spirit of engineering excellence.
To see more images from our visit to NVIDIA HQ, take a look at our Event Gallery.
