Huang is recognized for a lifetime of visionary leadership and groundbreaking work in accelerated computing technology. This has brought NVIDIA to the absolute forefront of innovation. This comes on top of previous accolades, including the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, Person of the Year from the Financial Times and TIME Magazine, and the Professor Stephen Hawking Fellowship. Under his leadership, NVIDIA became the first company with a market value exceeding 5 trillion dollars in October 2025. In 1999, NVIDIA developed the first GPU. That was a breakthrough that fundamentally changed computing and enabled advancements in medicine, engineering, robotics, autonomous vehicles, manufacturing, and more. Huang's vision for accelerated computing laid the foundation for today's AI technologies and the new industrial revolution.
'The IEEE Medal of Honor represents the highest career achievement,' says Mary Ellen Randall, IEEE President. 'Jensen Huang's contributions have pushed the boundaries of technology and enabled innovations whose impact is yet to be seen. IEEE is proud to honor work that not only defines excellence in our field but also inspires the next generation of engineers and technologists.'
The IEEE Medal of Honor was established in 1917. The award goes to individuals who have profoundly shaped technology and engineering. Recipients dare to think big and make the seemingly impossible a reality. Their achievements inspire technological advancement and improve how we live, work, and connect. Huang joins an impressive list of awardees who have changed modern life, including Vinton G. Cerf and Robert Kahn (internet architecture), Bradford W. Parkinson (GPS), and Morris Chang (semiconductors).
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NVIDIA's accelerated computing platform supports virtually every industry. From generative AI like ChatGPT to the world's largest AI factories and data centers. Huang's long-term vision and ability to think decades ahead have created an infrastructure that enables technological innovation worldwide and impacts millions of lives daily.
For the second consecutive year, the IEEE Medal of Honor includes a prize of 2 million dollars. This underscores the status of the award as one of the most important technological prizes in the world. It also highlights the crucial role of engineering and science in addressing global challenges and advancing society.
'Receiving the IEEE Medal of Honor is deeply humbling. This recognition is the result of the lifelong work of thousands of engineers and researchers at NVIDIA,' says Huang. 'From the invention of the GPU to the engines of modern AI factories. We have helped start a new industrial revolution. This award belongs to the entire community that has built the CUDA ecosystem, pushed computing beyond Moore's Law, and continues to push the boundaries of AI. Together, we are building a great future for our planet.'
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About IEEE
IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization and a public charity focused on advancing technology for humanity. With leading publications, conferences, technological standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is a trusted authority in diverse fields. From aerospace and computers to telecommunications, biomedical technology, energy, and consumer electronics. More information: www.ieee.org
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