Nvidia Commits Up to $100 Billion to Power OpenAI’s Next‑Gen AI Data Centers
Key Points
- Nvidia pledges up to $100 billion investment in OpenAI.
- OpenAI will deploy at least 10 gigawatts of Nvidia compute power across new data centers.
- First phase: one‑gigawatt rollout on Nvidia’s Vera Rubin platform in the second half of 2026.
- Partnership gives Nvidia a stakeholder role, not just a supplier.
- Deal aims to keep OpenAI competitive with AI rivals like Google and Microsoft.
Nvidia and OpenAI have struck a landmark partnership that could see Nvidia invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI while providing the massive compute infrastructure needed for the next generation of AI models. The agreement calls for OpenAI to deploy at least 10 gigawatts of Nvidia systems across new data centers, beginning with a one‑gigawatt rollout on Nvidia’s Vera Rubin platform in the second half of 2026. The deal positions Nvidia as both a supplier and a stakeholder, anchoring it at the heart of the AI boom and giving OpenAI a long‑term pipeline of cutting‑edge hardware to stay competitive with rivals.
Partnership Overview
Nvidia and OpenAI have entered a multi‑year partnership that combines a massive financial commitment with a hardware supply agreement. Nvidia has pledged to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI, a figure that underscores the scale of the collaboration. In return, OpenAI will source Nvidia’s compute systems to build out a series of AI data centers that will collectively deliver at least 10 gigawatts of processing power.
Infrastructure Plans
The rollout will begin with a one‑gigawatt deployment on Nvidia’s upcoming Vera Rubin platform, slated for the second half of 2026. Each subsequent phase will add more capacity, with the goal of reaching the 10‑gigawatt target over the coming years. The Vera Rubin platform, named after the late dark‑matter astronomer, represents Nvidia’s next generation of AI‑optimized hardware. OpenAI is already using Nvidia systems in its Stargate I data center in Abilene, Texas, which is still under construction.
Strategic Implications
For OpenAI, securing a guaranteed supply of Nvidia’s cutting‑edge chips addresses a critical bottleneck in AI research: access to massive compute resources. The partnership aims to keep OpenAI competitive with other AI powerhouses such as Google, Anthropic, Microsoft, and Meta. For Nvidia, the deal goes beyond a traditional supplier relationship. By taking a sizable stake in OpenAI, Nvidia positions itself at the center of the AI ecosystem, allowing it to benefit from the growth of the largest AI model developer.
Future Outlook
The collaboration is described as the biggest AI infrastructure project in history. While the full deployment will span several years, the combined with the financial investment could accelerate AI breakthroughs and expand the accessibility of advanced models to businesses and consumers worldwide. Both companies see compute infrastructure as the foundation for the future economy, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasizing that “compute will be the basis for the economy of the future.” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang echoed this sentiment, calling the effort a historic infrastructure undertaking.