Nvidia CEO: Windows 95 Was Crucial for CUDA's Development
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlighted the significance of Windows 95 for the company's technological progression, particularly in the genesis of the CUDA platform.
During a recent Microsoft Surface product launch event, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang discussed the pivotal role of the Windows 95 operating system in the company's technological trajectory.
Huang stated that without the Windows platform, Nvidia's GeForce graphics cards would not have come into existence. More critically, he asserted that the development of CUDA, a platform central to deep learning and artificial intelligence, would not have occurred without Windows.
Reflecting on the mid-1990s, Huang described a period of transformation in computer graphics where gaming required separate 2D display cards and 3D acceleration cards. Nvidia's initial attempt to combine these functions in its 1995 NV1 card failed due to incompatibility with Microsoft's DirectX standard.
The company subsequently pivoted, releasing the RIVA 128 in 1997. Nvidia prioritized driver optimization for Microsoft's DirectX, and this, along with integrated high performance and AGP interface support, allowed the company to establish a strong market presence and pave the way for future innovations.