“AI inference token generation has surged tenfold in just one year, and as AI agents become mainstream, the demand for AI computing will accelerate. Countries around the world are recognizing AI as essential infrastructure – just like electricity and the internet.”
Jensen Huang, Nvidia CEO
Context: The Nvidia 2026 Q1 results
On May 28, 2025, NVIDIA announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, reporting a record-breaking revenue of $44,1 billion, a 69% increase from the previous year. This surge was primarily driven by robust demand for AI chips, with the data center segment contributing significantly, achieving a 73% year-over-year revenue increase to $39,1 billion.
Despite these impressive figures, NVIDIA faced challenges due to U.S. export restrictions on its H20 chips to China, resulting in a $4,5 billion charge for excess inventory and an anticipated $8 billion revenue loss in the second quarter. During the earnings call, Huang criticized these restrictions, stating they have inadvertently spurred innovation in China rather than curbing it.
In the context of these developments, Huang remarked, “AI inference token generation has surged tenfold in just one year, and as AI agents become mainstream, the demand for AI computing will accelerate. Countries around the world are recognizing AI as essential infrastructure—just like electricity and the internet.” This statement underscores the transformative impact of AI across various sectors and highlights the critical role of AI infrastructure in modern economies.
Under Huang’s leadership, NVIDIA has not only achieved remarkable financial success but has also been at the forefront of AI and computing innovations. His strategic vision continues to shape the company’s trajectory, navigating complex international dynamics while driving technological progress.
Jensen Huang: Visionary Leader Behind Nvidia
Early Life and Education
Jensen Huang, born in Tainan, Taiwan, in 1963, immigrated to the United States at a young age. He pursued his undergraduate studies in electrical engineering at Oregon State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, and later completed a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University. Before founding Nvidia, Huang gained industry experience at LSI Logic and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), building a foundation in semiconductor technology and business leadership.
Founding Nvidia and Early Struggles
In 1993, at the age of 30, Huang co-founded Nvidia with Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem. The company’s inception was humble—its first meetings took place in a local Denny’s restaurant. The early years were marked by intense challenges and uncertainty. Nvidia’s initial focus on graphics accelerator chips nearly led to its demise, with the company surviving on a critical $5 million investment from Sega. By 1997, Nvidia was just a month away from running out of payroll funds before the release of the RIVA 128 chip turned its fortunes around.
Huang’s leadership style was forged in these difficult times. He often reminded his team, “Our company is thirty days from going out of business,” a mantra that underscored the urgency and resilience required to survive in Silicon Valley’s fast-paced environment. Huang has credited these hardships as essential to his growth as a leader and to Nvidia’s eventual success.
Transforming the Tech Landscape
Under Huang’s stewardship, Nvidia pioneered the invention of the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) in 1999, revolutionizing computer graphics and catalyzing the growth of the PC gaming industry. More recently, Nvidia has become a central player in the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerated computing, with its hardware and software platforms powering breakthroughs in data centers, autonomous vehicles, and generative AI.
Huang’s vision and execution have earned him widespread recognition, including election to the National Academy of Engineering, the Semiconductor Industry Association’s Robert N. Noyce Award, the IEEE Founder’s Medal, and inclusion in TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people.
