Nvidia GTC 2025 live updates: Blackwell Ultra, GM partnerships, and two ‘personal AI supercomputers’

Nvidia GTC 2025 live updates: Blackwell Ultra, GM partnerships, and two ‘personal AI supercomputers’

  • 20.03.2025 21:45
  • techcrunch.com
  • Keywords: AI

Nvidia's GTC 2025 conference featured Jensen Huang's keynote on AI advancements, unveiling Blackwell Ultra GPUs, partnerships with GM for AI in manufacturing, and new AI models like Groot N1 for robotics. The event also saw mixed investor reactions to product launches and updates on scaling laws in AI development.

Nvidia Products

Context

Nvidia GTC 2025 Business Insights and Market Implications

Key Announcements and Product Launches

  • Blackwell Ultra GPU Series:

    • Next-generation GPUs expected to be released later in 2025.
    • Positioned as a powerful successor to the Hopper architecture, with Huang emphasizing superior performance and cost-effectiveness.
  • Vera Rubin Chip Architecture:

    • Features tens of terabytes of memory and a custom Nvidia-designed CPU called Vera.
    • Scheduled for release in the second half of 2026, followed by the Rubin Ultra variant in 2027.
  • Llama Nemotron Reasoning Model:

    • A new enterprise-grade reasoning model based on Llama.
    • Claims to outperform DeepSeek’s R1 significantly in accuracy and speed.
    • Partnerships announced with Accenture, Blackrock, and others.
  • Personal AI Supercomputers:

    • DGX Spark (previously known as) and DGX Station introduced for prototyping, fine-tuning, and running AI models at the edge.
    • Huang described these as “the computer of the age of AI.”

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

  • General Motors Collaboration:
    • Focus areas: AI for manufacturing, enterprise applications, and in-car AI solutions.
    • Aims to revolutionize GM’s production processes, car design, and autonomous driving efforts.

Market Reaction and Business Impact

  • Stock Performance:
    • Nvidia’s stock price dropped ~4% in after-hours trading following the event.
    • Investors may have been disappointed by the lack of surprises, as GPU lineup details were widely leaked beforehand.

Competitive Dynamics

  • AI Scaling Laws Debate:

    • Huang argued that AI scaling is improving faster than expected, countering claims of diminishing returns.
    • Suggested that more efficient AI models will increase demand for powerful GPUs, reinforcing Nvidia’s position in the market.
  • DeepSeek R1 Criticism:

    • Huang claimed DeepSeek’s reasoning model uses significantly more compute resources than non-reasoning models.
    • This positioning aims to highlight Nvidia’s efficiency and performance advantages.

Industry Implications

  • AI Foundation Model for Robotics:
    • Groot N1, an open-source generalist AI model for humanoid robotics.
    • Combines synthetic and real data training with a “dual system architecture” inspired by human cognition.

Strategic Considerations

  • Focus on Enterprise AI:

    • DGX Spark and DGX Station target enterprise users, enabling localized AI model deployment at the edge.
    • Reflects Nvidia’s shift towards broader AI adoption across industries.
  • Long-Term Effects:

    • Emphasis on continuous innovation in GPU architectures (e.g., Blackwell, Vera Rubin) suggests a long-term commitment to advancing AI and computing technologies.
    • Potential regulatory impacts may arise as AI becomes more pervasive in manufacturing, automotive, and enterprise applications.

Conclusion

Nvidia’s GTC 2025 event highlights the company’s continued dominance in AI and GPU technology. Key announcements underscore its focus on innovation, partnerships, and expanding its market reach through enterprise solutions. However, the lukewarm investor response signals the need for sustained differentiation to maintain growth momentum.