Nvidia developed the CUDA parallel-computing platform for use with its graphics processors.
CUDA was introduced in 2006 and lets developers use Nvidia graphics processing units for general-purpose parallel computing, not only for rendering images. Its software ecosystem became important in scientific computing, artificial intelligence, data analysis, and machine learning.
Nvidia was founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang, Chris Malachowsky, and Curtis Priem. The company first became widely known for graphics chips used in personal computers and video games. Its later emphasis on accelerated computing helped it become a major supplier for modern AI systems.
Market capitalization rankings can change quickly when investors reassess demand for a company’s technology. Nvidia’s valuation rose sharply during the AI boom, but CUDA itself is a long-standing platform whose origins predate that surge by many years.