NVIDIA Partners with Corning on $6B Optical Deal for AI

NVIDIA Partners with Corning on Massive Optical Infrastructure Deal

NVIDIA announced a major partnership with Corning on Wednesday that will see the glass manufacturer open three new advanced manufacturing plants in the United States dedicated entirely to optical technologies for NVIDIA’s AI infrastructure needs. According to CNBC, the deal represents a significant expansion of optical fiber capacity to support the growing demands of artificial intelligence computing.

The partnership will increase Corning’s optical manufacturing capacity in the United States by tenfold, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang said during the announcement. CNBC reported that Huang highlighted the deal as an opportunity to “revitalize American manufacturing” through AI-driven infrastructure investments.

Corning’s Strategic Position in AI Infrastructure

Corning has emerged as a major beneficiary of the artificial intelligence boom, with its stock climbing more than 250% over the past year. The company’s optical technologies are critical for connecting AI data centers and enabling the high-speed data transmission required for machine learning workloads.

The NVIDIA partnership follows Corning’s recent deal with Meta worth up to $6 billion, according to CNBC. This positions Corning as a key supplier to multiple major tech companies racing to build out AI infrastructure.

The three new manufacturing plants will focus specifically on optical fiber and related technologies needed for NVIDIA’s data center and AI computing products. The facilities represent a significant domestic manufacturing investment at a time when supply chain resilience has become a priority for technology companies.

Apple Ramps Up AI R&D Spending to 10.3% of Revenue

Meanwhile, Apple has significantly increased its research and development investments as the company faces pressure to compete in the AI race. CNBC reported that Apple’s R&D spending hit 10.3% of revenue in the March quarter, marking a notable increase from previous periods.

“That’s a sign that Apple is seeing a sense of urgency around new AI products,” Gene Munster, managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, told CNBC. The increase brings Apple closer to other megacap technology companies in terms of R&D spending ratios, though the iPhone maker continues to take a different approach to capital expenditures compared to competitors like Microsoft and Google.

Apple’s increased AI investments come as the company works to integrate artificial intelligence capabilities across its product lineup, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers. The company has been relatively late to the generative AI trend compared to competitors but is now accelerating its efforts.

Uber Explores AI Integration Amid Platform Expansion

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi discussed the company’s approach to AI integration during The Verge’s Decoder podcast, addressing questions about whether AI chatbots could eventually replace Uber’s app for booking rides. Khosrowshahi indicated openness to AI partnerships while focusing on expanding Uber into what the company calls an “everything app.”

The ride-sharing company is adding new services including hotel booking through a partnership with Expedia, in-car coffee and snacks, and personal shopping capabilities. Khosrowshahi’s comments suggest Uber views AI as a potential enhancement to its platform rather than a replacement for direct user engagement.

However, Uber faces challenges in its autonomous vehicle partnerships. TechCrunch reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into Avride, an Uber robotaxi partner, following more than a dozen crashes involving the company’s self-driving vehicles.

Regulatory Scrutiny for Autonomous Vehicle Partners

The NHTSA investigation into Avride centers on 16 crashes that occurred between December 2025 and March 2026, with all incidents involving vehicles operating under safety monitor supervision. According to the safety regulator’s Office of Defects Investigation, the crashes relate to “the competence of” Avride’s self-driving system, which has struggled with lane changes, responding to other vehicles, and detecting stationary objects.

Avride, a subsidiary of Netherlands-based Nebius (formerly Yandex NV), struck a partnership with Uber in 2024. The following year, Uber and Nebius agreed to make “strategic investments and other commitments” to Avride worth up to $375 million, according to TechCrunch.

Many of the reported crashes occurred in Dallas, Texas, where Uber began offering rides in Avride robotaxis just months ago. The investigation highlights ongoing safety challenges in the autonomous vehicle industry as companies work to commercialize self-driving technology.

What This Means

These developments illustrate the massive infrastructure investments required to support AI advancement and the varying approaches major technology companies are taking. NVIDIA’s partnership with Corning addresses a critical bottleneck in AI infrastructure – the optical connectivity needed to link powerful AI chips in data centers. By securing dedicated manufacturing capacity, NVIDIA is positioning itself to meet growing demand while supporting domestic production.

Apple’s surge in R&D spending signals the company recognizes it cannot afford to fall further behind in AI capabilities. The 10.3% R&D ratio puts Apple more in line with other tech giants that have been investing heavily in AI research and development for years.

The regulatory scrutiny of Uber’s autonomous vehicle partnerships demonstrates that despite significant investments, self-driving technology still faces substantial technical and safety hurdles. The Avride investigation serves as a reminder that the path to fully autonomous transportation remains complex and uncertain.

FAQ

What is the value of NVIDIA’s partnership with Corning?
While the specific financial terms weren’t disclosed, the deal involves Corning opening three new U.S. manufacturing plants dedicated to optical technologies for NVIDIA, representing a tenfold increase in Corning’s domestic optical manufacturing capacity.

Why is Apple increasing its R&D spending so dramatically?
Apple’s R&D spending reached 10.3% of revenue as the company faces pressure to compete in artificial intelligence. Analysts view this as a sign of urgency around developing new AI products to catch up with competitors.

How many crashes has Avride had with its self-driving vehicles?
The NHTSA has identified 16 crashes involving Avride’s autonomous vehicles between December 2025 and March 2026, all occurring while safety monitors were present. The crashes involved issues with lane changing, responding to other vehicles, and detecting stationary objects.