Jukan: Nvidia Customers Assess AMD and Google Chips Amid Jensen Huang Uncertainty

According to ChainCatcher citing The Information, a cloud provider executive that buys Nvidia chips said uncertainty surrounding Jensen Huang is prompting the company to seriously assess alternatives, including products from AMD and Google. The company had previously considered diversifying to reduce its reliance on Nvidia hardware but held back out of concern about offending Huang. The executive now worries that Huang’s absence could affect the quality and road map of future Nvidia chip generations, given his central role in the company’s technology and customer relationships. Jukan said retaining major customers as they consider other suppliers’ AI servers will be a key challenge for interim CEO Colette Kress and her eventual successor. Several customers said Nvidia chips are expected to remain in short supply in the near term and that management changes have not altered their view of the chips as the industry’s best. Kress also faces the task of managing Nvidia’s ties in Washington. Huang had a close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump and advocated changes to China export restrictions, but also made enemies in Washington; some described his style as combative and said they felt pressured. Jukan said leadership uncertainty is beginning to loosen Nvidia’s hold on customers.