Jensen Huang, the co-founder and CEO of Nvidia, has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2026 IEEE Medal of Honor. Announced at CES in Las Vegas by IEEE President and CEO Mary Ellen Randall, the award recognizes Huang's pivotal leadership in developing graphics processing units (GPUs) and their transformative application to scientific computing and artificial intelligence. This recognition underscores Huang's visionary impact on technology and society.

Huang, who co-founded Nvidia in 1993, has steered the company to the forefront of technological innovation. Six years after founding Nvidia, Huang guided the company in introducing the programmable GPU, a groundbreaking innovation that sparked advancements across various fields. These fields include AI, computing, and medicine. His leadership has profoundly influenced how technology improves society.

Acknowledgment of Huang's Impact

"[Receiving the IEEE Medal of Honor] is an incredible honor," Huang stated at CES. He further dedicated the award to the employees of Nvidia. The IEEE Medal of Honor carries a US $2 million prize. This underscores IEEE’s commitment to recognizing visionaries who are shaping the future of technology for the betterment of humanity.

Beyond the engineering world, Huang's influence has garnered widespread acclaim. Time magazine collectively named him as one of the "Architects of AI" in 2025. He was also featured on Time's cover in 2021. The Harvard Business Review named him the world’s top-performing CEO for 2019, and Fortune recognized him as the 2017 Businessperson of the Year.

IEEE's Highest Honor

Randall emphasized the significance of the award, stating, "The IEEE Medal of Honor is the pinnacle of recognition and our most prestigious award." Randall further stated that Huang’s leadership and technical vision have unlocked a new era of innovation. She noted that Huang's vision and the subsequent development of Nvidia’s first GPU hardware perfectly embody the spirit of the award.

"[Receiving the IEEE Medal of Honor] is an incredible honor."

— Jensen Huang

The IEEE Awards, including the Medal of Honor, will be presented at the IEEE Honors Ceremony in New York City this April. Nvidia's innovations are everywhere these days, from the latest AI-powered photo editing apps on iOS and Android to the cutting-edge graphics in the newest gaming consoles. As mobile and apps editor, I'm constantly seeing how Nvidia's technology trickles down to everyday users, making complex tasks simpler and more accessible. Whether it's faster photo processing or more immersive gaming experiences, Huang's vision has truly reshaped the landscape of consumer technology.