This week’s $100 billion pact with OpenAI marks the final stage of Nvidia’s transformation from a high-performance chipmaker into the master architect of the AI era. With this move, Nvidia is no longer just selling the bricks for the new age of intelligence; it is now designing the cathedral and co-owning the faith.
Historically, Nvidia’s role was to supply the powerful GPUs that acted as the engines for AI research. With this new deal, its role expands dramatically. By funding the entire 10-gigawatt infrastructure and taking an equity stake, Nvidia becomes a central planner and stakeholder in the direction of AI development itself, not just a hardware vendor.
This transformation is underpinned by a profound strategic vision. Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s CEO, sees a future where his company’s platforms, like the forthcoming Vera Rubin, are not just components but the very foundation of the “next era of intelligence.” This deal ensures Nvidia’s architecture is inextricably linked to the world’s most advanced AI research.
This shift has huge implications for Nvidia’s business model. It moves beyond transactional hardware sales into a long-term, value-accruing partnership. As OpenAI’s valuation grows on the back of new breakthroughs, Nvidia’s equity stake will appreciate, providing a powerful secondary revenue stream that reflects the true value its technology unlocks.
As of September 2025, Nvidia has cemented its new identity. It is a company that invests directly in the creation of intelligence, using its financial might and technological prowess to architect the very foundations of the AI-powered future.