NVIDIA and OpenAI have revealed a major strategic partnership aimed at developing the next generation of artificial intelligence infrastructure. The agreement involves deploying at least 10 gigawatts of NVIDIA's computing systems, supported by a potential investment of up to $100 billion from NVIDIA into OpenAI.
The collaboration, outlined in a letter of intent announced on September 22, 2025, will provide OpenAI with millions of NVIDIA GPUs. This hardware is essential for training and operating the advanced AI models the company is developing as it works toward creating superintelligence.
Key Takeaways
- NVIDIA and OpenAI signed a letter of intent for a strategic partnership.
- The plan is to deploy a minimum of 10 gigawatts of NVIDIA AI systems for OpenAI.
- NVIDIA intends to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI as the infrastructure is rolled out.
- The first phase, using the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform, is scheduled for the second half of 2026.
- The partnership aims to accelerate the development of advanced AI and superintelligence.
Details of the Partnership Agreement
The core of the agreement is the construction and deployment of large-scale AI data centers. These facilities will house a massive number of NVIDIA's graphics processing units (GPUs), which are critical for the intensive calculations required by modern AI models. The goal is to establish a computing capacity of at least 10 gigawatts, a scale designed to support OpenAI’s future ambitions.
To facilitate this massive undertaking, NVIDIA has committed to a progressive investment plan. The company intends to invest up to $100 billion into OpenAI. This funding will be released in stages, corresponding with the deployment of each gigawatt of computing power. This structure ties the investment directly to the successful expansion of the infrastructure.
"Everything starts with compute," said Sam Altman, cofounder and CEO of OpenAI. "Compute infrastructure will be the basis for the economy of the future, and we will utilize what we’re building with NVIDIA to both create new AI breakthroughs and empower people and businesses with them at scale."
The collaboration goes beyond hardware supply. OpenAI will recognize NVIDIA as a preferred strategic partner for its compute and networking needs. The two companies will also work to co-optimize their technology roadmaps, ensuring that OpenAI's software and models are finely tuned to NVIDIA's future hardware and software releases.
Timeline and Technology Platform
The project has a clear initial timeline. The first phase of the infrastructure build-out is set to begin operations in the second half of 2026. This initial deployment will be based on NVIDIA's upcoming Vera Rubin platform, a next-generation architecture designed specifically for large-scale AI and high-performance computing tasks.
Project by the Numbers
- Total Planned Compute Power: 10+ Gigawatts
- Potential NVIDIA Investment: Up to $100 Billion
- First Deployment Target: H2 2026
- Initial Platform: NVIDIA Vera Rubin
- OpenAI Weekly Active Users: 700+ Million
Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, highlighted the long-standing relationship between the two tech giants. He noted that their collaboration dates back to the first DGX supercomputer and was instrumental in the development of ChatGPT.
"This investment and infrastructure partnership mark the next leap forward — deploying 10 gigawatts to power the next era of intelligence," stated Huang.
Strategic Importance and Broader Context
This partnership is a significant move for both companies. For OpenAI, it secures the immense computational resources needed to stay at the forefront of AI research and development. The company, which already serves over 700 million weekly active users, aims to scale its technology and make its benefits widely available. This new infrastructure is fundamental to achieving its mission of building artificial general intelligence (AGI) that benefits humanity.
For NVIDIA, the deal solidifies its position as the primary hardware provider for the AI industry. The commitment from a leading AI lab like OpenAI serves as a major endorsement of its technology and future platforms. The up to $100 billion investment also signals NVIDIA's deep strategic commitment to the growth of the AI ecosystem.
An Expanding Network of Collaborators
This new partnership between NVIDIA and OpenAI does not exist in a vacuum. It is designed to complement the extensive work both companies are already doing with a wide network of other technology leaders. Key collaborators mentioned include Microsoft, Oracle, SoftBank, and various Stargate partners, all of whom are involved in building out the global infrastructure for advanced AI.
Greg Brockman, cofounder and president of OpenAI, emphasized the history of their collaboration with NVIDIA. "We’ve utilized their platform to create AI systems that hundreds of millions of people use every day," he said. "We’re excited to deploy 10 gigawatts of compute with NVIDIA to push back the frontier of intelligence and scale the benefits of this technology to everyone."
Future Outlook and Market Implications
The announcement is currently based on a letter of intent, with the final details of the strategic partnership expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. However, the scale of the proposed collaboration is set to have a profound impact on the technology landscape. It represents one of the largest single commitments to building AI-specific infrastructure to date.
The massive investment in compute power will likely accelerate the pace of AI innovation, enabling the development of more complex and capable models. As AI becomes more integrated into the global economy, large-scale infrastructure projects like this one are expected to become increasingly common. This partnership sets a new benchmark for the resources required to compete at the highest level of AI development.
The collaboration underscores the symbiotic relationship between AI model developers and hardware manufacturers. As AI models grow in complexity, they demand more powerful and efficient computing systems, driving innovation in semiconductor and data center technology. In turn, advancements in hardware enable researchers to explore new frontiers in artificial intelligence, creating a cycle of rapid technological progress.