NVIDIA & Corning: Manufacturing AI Infrastructure in the US

NVIDIA and Corning announced a multi-year commercial and technology partnership to expand manufacturing of the advanced optical connectivity solutions in the US. 

The deal includes the creation of three new sites, which are expected to create more than 3,000 jobs.

NVIDIA says the technology is needed to power “next-generation” AI infrastructure. 

Wendell P. Weeks, Chairman, CEO and President of Corning, says: “This partnership is proof that AI is not just a technology story. It is a manufacturing story and it is happening here in the US."

Increasing fibre production capacity

Corning says it will increase its US based optical connectivity manufacturing capacity by ten and expand its US fibre production capacity by more than 50% to meet the accelerating demand driven by AI factory buildouts. 

The expansion includes the construction of three new advanced manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Texas and the creation of more than 3,000 new jobs in the US.

Corning’s expanded capacity will supply the optical connectivity hyperscale data centres used to deploy NVIDIA’s accelerated computing at scale. 

Why NVIDIA needs optical fibre

Modern AI workloads require thousands of NVIDIA GPUs, requiring unprecedented volumes of high-performance optical fibre, connectivity and photonics to move data at extraordinary speed and scale. 

NVIDIA says that as AI factories grow larger and more numerous, optical connectivity becomes an important component of the AI infrastructure. 

Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA, says: “AI is driving the largest infrastructure buildout of our time and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate American manufacturing and supply chains.

“Together with Corning, we are inventing the future of computing with advanced optical technologies, building the foundation for AI infrastructure where intelligence moves at the speed of light while advancing the proud tradition of Made in America.”

Corning’s optical fibre manufacturing

Corning invented low cost optical fibre in the 1970. Its optical fibre is now in incredible demand during the build out of data centres needed for AI and the company is rapidly expanding. 

In January of 2026, Corning signed a multi-year agreement with Meta for US$6bn to supply the technology giant with its offerings in optical fibre, cable and connectivity solutions. 

To support its agreement with Meta, Corning expanded manufacturing capabilities across its operations in North Carolina.

This new partnership with NVIDIA builds on its earlier partnership with Meta.

The Wall Street Journal reported that NVIDIA is investing US$500m in Corning as part of the recent partnership with the company. Corning’s stock rose 17% after the deal was announced. 

Manufacturing workforce

Wendell P. Weeks, Chairman, CEO and President of Corning, says: “What NVIDIA is doing is nothing short of extraordinary, not just for the future of artificial intelligence, but for the American advanced manufacturing workforce.

“Their commitment is directly fuelling the expansion of our US manufacturing footprint and creating more than 3,000 new, high-paying jobs for American workers. 

“This partnership is proof that AI is not just a technology story. It is a manufacturing story and it is happening here in the US. Together with NVIDIA, we are ensuring the critical technologies powering AI are invented, engineered and built in America.”