UPDATE: Nvidia Corp. confirms that its highly anticipated new Rubin data center products are on track for release in 2026, with customers soon able to test this groundbreaking technology. This development is expected to significantly accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) advancements across industries.
During a keynote address at the CES 2026 trade show in Las Vegas, CEO Jensen Huang revealed that all six of the new Rubin chips have returned from manufacturing and passed essential milestone tests. “The race is on for AI,” Huang stated, emphasizing the urgency of staying ahead in the competitive tech landscape.
The Rubin chips boast impressive specifications, being 3.5 times more efficient at training AI models and 5 times better at executing AI software than the previous generation, Blackwell. The new central processing unit features 88 cores, delivering double the performance of its predecessor.
This launch comes earlier in the year than Nvidia’s typical announcements, as part of a strategy to keep the tech industry engaged with its innovative hardware. Traditionally, Nvidia reveals product details during its spring GTC event in San Jose, California.
Huang’s presentation at CES is critical, as it coincides with increased competition from rivals like Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD). Industry analysts have expressed concerns about the sustainability of current AI spending levels, particularly as data center operators are exploring their own AI accelerators.
Despite these challenges, Nvidia remains optimistic, forecasting a total market potential worth trillions of dollars. The new Rubin hardware, which includes networking and connectivity components, will not only enhance the DGX SuperPod supercomputer but also be available as standalone products, allowing customers to adopt the technology more flexibly.
Nvidia emphasizes that Rubin-based systems will reduce operational costs compared to Blackwell by achieving equivalent results with fewer components. Major tech players like Microsoft Corp., Alphabet Inc.’s Google Cloud, and Amazon.com Inc.’s AWS are expected to be among the first to deploy the new hardware in the latter half of 2026.
The urgency of this launch is amplified by the growing demand for AI capabilities across sectors, including robotics, healthcare, and heavy industry. Nvidia is also unveiling a suite of tools designed to expedite the development of autonomous vehicles and robotics, further investing in the future of AI.
As the tech world watches closely, Nvidia’s new Rubin chips are poised to redefine AI infrastructure and capabilities, marking a pivotal moment in the industry. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops, and share your thoughts on how this technology could impact the future of AI.
