NVIDIA Bets $40 Billion on AI: A Bold Strategy for 2026

NVIDIA Makes a Massive Commitment to AI with $40 Billion by 2026

By 2026, NVIDIA has already injected over $40 billion into the artificial intelligence sector, marking a significant acceleration of its strategy beyond its traditional GPUs. The American company is no longer content with dominating the AI chip market; it is now financing the global AI infrastructure, encompassing areas such as data centers, photonics, and AI cloud. This colossal investment amount is primarily attributed to a commitment of $30 billion to OpenAI, according to CNBC.

NVIDIA Transforms Its GPU Lead into an AI Infrastructure Empire

Since the rise of generative AI, NVIDIA has established itself as a leader thanks to its graphics processors, which are essential for training large language models. This dominant position has propelled the company's valuation to around $5.2 trillion, with its stock price multiplying by more than 11 in just four years. However, under the leadership of Jensen Huang, NVIDIA aims to expand its influence by controlling the entire AI value chain. This includes strategic investments in companies that build the necessary infrastructure for AI models, often those that already purchase its GPUs.

NVIDIA thus supports a range of players, from cloud providers to data center operators, as well as optical component manufacturers and AI startups. This strategy is clearly embraced by Jensen Huang, who recently stated he wants to "support everyone" rather than "designate a single winner."

Increasing AI Agreements: OpenAI, CoreWeave, Corning

Among the most notable investments, the one in OpenAI stands out. With $30 billion invested in the creator of ChatGPT, NVIDIA strengthens its grip on a key player in the sector. At the same time, the company has signed several significant agreements with publicly traded companies. On May 7, 2026, NVIDIA signed an agreement with IREN, allowing for an investment of up to $2.1 billion in this data center operator. This partnership includes the deployment of 5 gigawatts of NVIDIA DSX infrastructure for AI workloads.

A few days earlier, a partnership with Corning was announced, potentially reaching $3.2 billion. This American manufacturer is committed to developing three new factories dedicated to optical technologies for NVIDIA's AI systems. The company is also accelerating in the field of silicon photonics, a crucial technology for future AI data centers, with a $2 billion investment in March in Marvell Technology, Lumentum, and Coherent.

In the AI cloud sector, NVIDIA supports neoclouds, these new players specializing in AI infrastructure, with $2 billion invested in CoreWeave and an additional $2 billion in Nebius Group.

Perceived Risks of NVIDIA's Investments

This aggressive investment strategy has not been without criticism, particularly on Wall Street. Some analysts fear that NVIDIA is indirectly financing the demand for its own products. Indeed, the company invests in firms that then use its GPUs to build their AI infrastructures. For some, this approach recalls the excesses of the Internet bubble in the early 2000s.

Matthew Bryson, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, points out that "these operations fit perfectly into the logic of circular investments." However, he also acknowledges that if this strategy succeeds, it could provide NVIDIA with a sustainable competitive advantage.

Jordan Klein, an analyst at Mizuho, shares this view. He believes that investments in critical components and optical infrastructure are wise, as they help accelerate technologies in short supply. However, he considers the massive investments in neoclouds to be riskier.

Increased Scrutiny of NVIDIA's Financial Results

NVIDIA already enjoys impressive financial power, with $97 billion in free cash flow generated last year. Its private investments have also seen significant growth. According to its annual report filed with the SEC, NVIDIA's private equity holdings surged from $3.39 billion to $22.25 billion in one year, and the company recorded nearly $9 billion in gains related to its investments.

Among the most lucrative operations is a $5 billion investment in Intel, which is now valued at over $25 billion. Investors will therefore closely monitor NVIDIA's upcoming quarterly results. Beyond the performance of its GPUs, the market seeks to assess the real impact of this financial expansion strategy on the entire AI industry.