Nvidia GTC 2025: What to expect from Nvidia's biggest event of the year

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) is set to kick off its highly anticipated 2025 GPU Technology Conference (GTC) on March 18 in San Jose, California. Running through March 21, this year’s event promises to be a landmark moment not just for Nvidia, but for the broader AI, robotics, and quantum computing sectors.

The centerpiece of the conference will be Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote address from the SAP Center. Known for delivering industry-shaping announcements from his iconic leather jacket, Huang is expected to unveil Nvidia’s next-generation AI technologies and provide a comprehensive update on the company’s future roadmap.

Blackwell Ultra and Next-Gen Chips on Deck

At the top of the agenda is the introduction of Nvidia’s Blackwell Ultra, an upgraded version of its already powerful Blackwell AI chip. Blackwell Ultra is expected to deliver a significant performance boost, aimed at accelerating AI model training and inference workloads even beyond what the original Blackwell offered. This would mark Nvidia’s continued dominance in the AI data center space as it faces increased competition from rivals like AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) and emerging players in China.

Beyond Blackwell Ultra, Nvidia will also shed light on Rubin, its next-generation GPU platform, and Vera, the successor to Nvidia’s current Grace CPU line. The two will combine into the Vera Rubin Superchip, named after pioneering astronomer Vera Rubin. This new superchip will succeed the Grace Blackwell Superchip and is set to lead Nvidia’s high-performance AI processor lineup. (More: Nvidia Stock Rises Ahead of GTC Conference as Investors Await Vera Rubin AI Chip Details)

Huang has teased that he will also discuss Rubin’s follow-up platform during his keynote, continuing Nvidia’s tradition of providing long-term roadmaps to help customers and developers plan ahead.

AI Software, CUDA, and Robotics in Focus

Expect major announcements around CUDA, Nvidia’s core software platform that enables parallel computing. Updates to CUDA and Nvidia’s simulation tools are likely to be key themes, especially as developers look for more efficient ways to build and deploy AI models.

Nvidia is also expected to double down on humanoid robotics, an area Huang promoted heavily during last year’s GTC. Panels on the topic are already on the schedule, and rumors suggest Nvidia may show off new simulation tools or reference platforms designed to accelerate humanoid robot development.

Quantum Day: Nvidia’s Push into Quantum Computing

For the first time, GTC will host a Quantum Day, featuring a high-profile panel discussion between Huang and executives from some of the top names in quantum computing: Alice & Bob, D-Wave (NYSE: QBTS), IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), Rigetti (NASDAQ: RGTI), and SEEQC. The panel is expected to offer insights into where quantum computing stands today and what lies ahead.

Huang made headlines earlier this year when he said practical quantum computers are still 15 to 30 years away, a view that triggered a sell-off in quantum computing stocks. This stands in contrast to more optimistic forecasts from other tech leaders, like Google’s Sundar Pichai, who believes practical quantum computing could arrive in five to 10 years.

Regardless of the timeline, Nvidia’s growing role in quantum hardware and simulation tools suggests it aims to be a key player in the future of quantum-accelerated computing.

Tariffs, Export Controls, and the China Factor

Nvidia enters GTC 2025 facing geopolitical headwinds. Potential tariffs on semiconductors imported to the U.S. and stricter export controls on GPUs destined for China have investors nervous. The company is also contending with the rise of DeepSeek’s R-1 AI model, which the Chinese startup claims to have trained on less-powerful Nvidia chips. That has sparked concerns about whether AI companies will continue paying a premium for Nvidia’s highest-end processors.

Huang has downplayed these fears, arguing that even the most efficient AI models still perform better when deployed on Nvidia’s most powerful chips, a message he’s likely to reiterate during his keynote.

Nvidia’s Stock: Caution and Confidence

Despite the broader uncertainty in tech, Nvidia shares are up 28% over the past 12 months. However, year-to-date, the stock is down 13%, reflecting Wall Street’s cautious stance as AI spending comes under scrutiny.

Nvidia reported blowout Q4 earnings in February, beating expectations with revenue of $22.1 billion, a 265% year-over-year increase, and net income soaring by 769% to $12.3 billion. Much of this success is attributed to surging demand for its AI GPUs, including the H100 and its upcoming Blackwell series.

Huang continues to be bullish on the future of AI and accelerated computing, calling this the “next industrial revolution” that will reshape every industry, from healthcare to manufacturing to energy.

What to Watch For at GTC 2025

Blackwell Ultra AI Chip Debut
Details on Rubin and Vera Processors and the Vera Rubin Superchip
CUDA and software platform updates
Humanoid robotics demonstrations and software advancements
Quantum Day panel discussion with major quantum computing firms
Jensen Huang’s take on AI’s future and Nvidia’s roadmap beyond Rubin

Final Takeaway

GTC 2025 promises to be one of Nvidia’s most consequential events yet. As AI development and deployment accelerate globally, Huang’s keynote will be closely watched by investors, developers, and competitors alike. Whether you’re focused on AI chips, software innovation, humanoid robotics, or quantum computing, GTC 2025 is the place where the future of technology will take center stage.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

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