Jensen Huang, the co-founder and CEO of Nvidia, has been named the 2026 recipient of the prestigious IEEE Medal of Honor — recognizing decades of work that helped shape modern computing and artificial intelligence. The announcement was made during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The award highlights Huang’s leadership in developing graphics processing units (GPUs), a technology that has become the backbone of today’s AI systems, scientific research, and high-performance computing. Under his direction, Nvidia introduced the programmable GPU in 1999, a breakthrough that didn’t just transform computer graphics but also laid the foundation for the current AI revolution.
Huang, who founded Nvidia in 1993, has led the company as president, CEO, and board member since its inception. Over the years, Nvidia has evolved from a graphics-focused company into a global leader in accelerated computing — powering everything from gaming to data centers and now generative AI systems that are reshaping industries worldwide.
Speaking at the event, Huang described the recognition as a shared achievement, acknowledging the contributions of Nvidia’s teams over the years. The IEEE Medal of Honor, which carries a $2 million prize, is widely regarded as one of the highest honors in engineering and technology.
IEEE President and CEO Mary Ellen Randall said Huang’s work has helped unlock a new era of innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence. She emphasized that his vision and execution have had a lasting impact on both technology and society.
Huang’s influence extends far beyond engineering circles. Nvidia’s GPU innovation sparked the growth of the PC gaming industry, redefined computer graphics, and later became the driving force behind advancements in AI and machine learning. Today, the company is at the center of a major platform shift toward accelerated computing and generative AI, technologies that are transforming sectors such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.
His contributions have been widely recognized across the global tech ecosystem. Huang is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and, in 2026, was appointed to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Over the years, he has received several major honors, including the Semiconductor Industry Association’s Robert N. Noyce Award, the IEEE Founder’s Medal, and the Dr. Morris Chang Exemplary Leadership Award.
In addition, Huang has been awarded honorary doctorates from leading universities worldwide, including National Taiwan University, Oregon State University, and Stanford University’s peer institutions. His leadership has also earned him recognition as one of the world’s top CEOs by publications such as Fortune, The Economist, and Brand Finance, along with being named among Time Magazine’s most influential people.
Before starting Nvidia, Huang worked at LSI Logic and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), gaining early experience in semiconductor design and computing technologies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Oregon State University and a master’s degree from Stanford University.
The 2026 IEEE Medal of Honor will be formally presented at the IEEE Honors Ceremony scheduled to take place in New York City later this year. The event will bring together some of the most influential figures in science and engineering, celebrating breakthroughs that continue to shape the future.
Huang’s recognition reflects more than just past achievements — it underscores the growing importance of GPU-driven computing in an AI-powered world, where the technologies he helped pioneer are now central to innovation across nearly every major industry.