Opinion: After Jensen Huang's absence, customers accelerate evaluation of AMD and Google chips, and Nvidia's lock-in effect on the customer side is loosening.

BlockBeats news, November 14 — Semiconductor analyst Jukan reposted and commented on a report by The Information, noting that an executive at a cloud provider purchasing Nvidia chips said uncertainty surrounding Jensen Huang is prompting the company to seriously evaluate other chip options, including Google and AMD products. The executive said the company had previously considered diversifying to reduce dependence on Nvidia hardware but held back for fear of offending Jensen Huang; now there is greater concern that Huang's absence could affect the quality and roadmap of future generations of Nvidia chips, because his personal role has been crucial in the company's technology and customer relationships.

Jukan pointed out that preventing major customers from further diversifying toward AI servers from other chipmakers will become one of the key challenges facing interim CEO Colette Kress and future permanent successors. However, multiple customers also said that at least in the short term Nvidia chips are still expected to be in short supply, and management changes will not alter the market's perception of its AI server chips as "industry-best." In addition, Kress also needs to handle the company's relationships in Washington: Jensen Huang had previously been close to Trump and actively pushed to adjust export restrictions to China, but he also made enemies in Washington, with some describing his style as combative and feeling pressured. Overall, leadership uncertainty is beginning to loosen Nvidia's lock-in effect on the customer side.