NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang Shuts Down OpenAI Rift Rumors with "Huge" Equity Commitment
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang spent his Saturday in Taipei dismantling the narrative that the world’s most valuable partnership has hit a rocky patch. Speaking to reporters on January 31, 2026, Huang brushed aside recent reports of a cooling relationship with OpenAI, characterizing a looming financial commitment as potentially the largest single investment in NVIDIA’s history.
Dismantling the "Stalled" Narrative
"I believe in OpenAI," Huang told the press. "The work they do is extraordinary, and they remain the most significant engine in this space."
While the CEO stopped short of naming a specific dollar amount for the new check, he drew a clear line between this equity investment and the broader, more complex infrastructure discussions. He clarified that while the upcoming funding is "a great deal of money," it is distinct from the $100 billion long-term framework that has dominated recent headlines.
The 10-Gigawatt Question
To understand the scale of NVIDIA’s "huge" commitment, one has to look at the staggering requirements of the September 2025 nonbinding memorandum of understanding (MOU). That deal outlined a plan to deploy 10 gigawatts of AI data centers—a power load roughly equivalent to the output of 10 large-scale nuclear reactors.
Defending the Silicon Moat
NVIDIA’s aggressive move into OpenAI’s equity structure reveals a deeper tactical shift. Through its NVentures arm, NVIDIA is increasingly moving "up the stack" to prevent its software-layer moat from eroding. By anchoring OpenAI, NVIDIA ensures that the industry's benchmark models remain optimized specifically for its upcoming Vera Rubin architecture.
As OpenAI explores its own custom "Triton" chips, Huang’s massive investment serves as a "golden handcuff," ensuring that as long as OpenAI is scaling, it is doing so on NVIDIA’s terms. For now, the message from Taipei is clear: the alliance isn't just intact—it's being funded on a scale the market has never seen.
