Rumor mill: Analysts with SemiAnalysis have uncovered what could be another troubling trend in the AI hardware industry. Nvidia is reportedly retaliating against some "neocloud" providers for integrating GPUs and other chips from rival manufacturers into their cloud offerings.
SemiAnalysis' latest "shocking" rumor allegedly confirms what the firm had already revealed in June. Several neocloud providers have reportedly been denied access to GTC Berlin, Nvidia's upcoming conference covering AI, GPUs, and related technologies. The Jensen Huang-led company apparently disapproves of cloud providers adding AMD GPUs, TPUs, and other third-party silicon to their offerings, and is making it harder for them to attend one of the industry's most important events.
Hyperscalers have apparently been spared Nvidia's "punishment" because they wield considerably more purchasing power than neocloud providers. The term neocloud is gaining traction as a way to describe a specific category of modern cloud providers that offer specialized IT infrastructure designed to efficiently handle AI workloads.
According to SemiAnalysis, neocloud providers are feeling Nvidia's pressure as the GPU maker attempts to discourage them from adopting competing GPU and AI hardware. The situation is reportedly so tense that some neocloud providers are now deploying AMD-based solutions without publicizing the move. This "quiet" approach might help them avoid further retaliation from Nvidia.
– SemiAnalysis (@SemiAnalysis_) October 16, 2026
SemiAnalysis first disclosed Nvidia's alleged tactics earlier this year. At the time, the "silicon intelligence" company stated that Nvidia was punishing neocloud providers by withholding early allocations of upcoming chips. Financial support for IPOs and capital-raising initiatives was also reportedly at risk of drying up. Nvidia has directly funded some neocloud providers, which is why some observers have dismissed SemiAnalysis' latest claims as a non-story.
Nvidia launched its GTC conference in 2009, bringing together engineers, researchers, and developers for an event that has since become heavily focused on AI. Some observers also argue that the Santa Clara-based company is entitled to decide whom it invites to its own conference.
Nvidia has repeatedly faced accusations of abusing its dominant position in the GPU market to disadvantage competitors. In 2024, a former AMD GPU chief accused the company of behaving like a "GPU cartel" by delaying shipments to data centers, OEMs, and even resellers.
The AI boom is turning GPUs and other specialized accelerators into highly sought-after hardware. AMD is also benefiting from the trend, particularly in the data center market, where GPU manufacturers continue to struggle to meet demand from hyperscalers and other cloud providers.