Nvidia has agreed to acquire Hugging Face, a leading platform for hosting open-source AI models and datasets, for $12.93 billion in one of the chipmaker's largest-ever deals.
Key facts
- Nvidia has agreed to buy Hugging Face for $12.93 billion.
- Hugging Face, founded in 2016, is a hub for open-source AI models, datasets and tools, often called 'the GitHub of AI'.
- Nvidia says Hugging Face will remain open even under its ownership.
- The Guardian reports Nvidia shares were slightly lower after the deal was announced Thursday.
- The deal ranks among Nvidia's biggest acquisitions ever.
Nvidia has agreed to buy Hugging Face for $12.93 billion, bringing one of the most popular hosting platforms for open-source AI models, datasets and tools under the ownership of the world’s biggest AI chipmaker, according to The Verge.
Hugging Face is an online platform founded in 2016 that gives AI developers a space to share their projects and data. Ars Technica described it as ‘the GitHub of AI,’ reflecting its role as a central hub for the developer community.
The BBC reported that the deal gives Nvidia control of a leading open-source AI platform and its associated developer community. Ars Technica noted that Nvidia says Hugging Face will stay open even as the chipmaker takes control of the key AI hub.
According to The Guardian, the acquisition represents a bet that support for open AI models could offset a potential slowdown in demand for Nvidia’s semiconductors. The outlet reported that the $12.93 billion deal ranks among the company’s biggest ever.
The Guardian added that shares in Nvidia were slightly lower after the deal was announced on Thursday. CNBC framed the move as ‘nothing new to the world of Big Tech,’ pointing to a past Microsoft deal as offering clues to the strategy behind the purchase.
Why it matters
Hugging Face sits at the center of the open-source AI development community, so its ownership by the dominant AI chipmaker could shape how models and tools are built and shared. The deal also signals Nvidia's effort to expand beyond hardware as questions grow about the durability of demand for its chips.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Nvidia paying for Hugging Face?
Nvidia has agreed to buy Hugging Face for $12.93 billion, a figure widely rounded to nearly $13 billion.
What is Hugging Face?
Founded in 2016, Hugging Face is an online platform where AI developers share open-source models, datasets and tools. Ars Technica described it as 'the GitHub of AI.'
Will Hugging Face stay open after the acquisition?
According to Ars Technica, Nvidia says Hugging Face will stay open even as the chipmaker takes control of the platform.