In a significant move at 3DEXPERIENCE World in Houston on February 3, 2026, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and Dassault Systèmes CEO Pascal Daloz announced a long-term strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing industrial AI. This collaboration focuses on developing a shared architecture that integrates virtual twin technology with physics-based artificial intelligence (AI), positioning this alliance as a defining moment in the evolution of design and manufacturing practices.
The stakes are high: as industries grapple with labor shortages and disruption within supply chains, the need for more autonomous and efficient production methodologies has never been greater. With this partnership, both companies seek to establish a pioneering approach to integrating advanced computational technologies into engineering workflows, a cornerstone in addressing the urgent demands faced by the manufacturing sector today.
The newly unveiled partnership aims to build a comprehensive industrial AI platform, relying heavily on the concept of “Industry World Models”—physics-validated AI systems that will serve as critical tools across biology, materials science, engineering, and manufacturing. At its core, Huang heralded the transformation of artificial intelligence to become as fundamental to operations as water and electricity. This ambition resonates with a broader vision of 'physical AI' that reflects a growing industry trend pushing enterprises toward real-time simulations and advanced analytics.
Daloz emphasized the significance of virtual twins during the announcement, stating, “This is the largest collaboration our two companies have ever had in over a quarter century.” The initiative promises to enable engineers to operate at scales unprecedented in prior design paradigms, enhancing their capability to simulate, validate, and optimize products before physical production begins.
The integration of NVIDIA’s accelerated computing capabilities with Dassault’s Virtual Twin platforms is poised to streamline design processes. Engineers will now have access to real-time data analysis, allowing them to explore and prototype faster than traditional methods permit. According to Huang, this collaboration will enhance engineering workflows significantly: “We’re going to fuse these technologies so engineers can work at a scale that’s 100 times, 1,000 times — and eventually a million times greater than before.”
Historically, Dassault Systèmes has held a formidable position in the marketplace, thanks to its 3DEXPERIENCE platform that offers a blend of simulation and design tools. This legacy in virtual twin technology allows engineers to create detailed digital replicas of physical products, making it a leader amid competition from firms like Siemens and Autodesk. Integrating NVIDIA’s technology positions this collaboration to not just catch up but potentially redefine industry standards.
The collaboration will propel discussions within the industry about shifting from conventional digital models to comprehensive science-backed world models. Huang pointed to a future where virtual twins become knowledge factories, capable of providing critical insights and resolutions during the early phases of product development, thus preventing costly mistakes down the line.
As AI grows in complexity, designers and engineers are challenged to grasp the underlying 'language' of systems. Huang articulated this aspiration, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in not diminishing creativity among engineers but in expanding it. “Every designer will have a team of companions,” he remarked, indicating that AI tools will act as supportive systems rather than replacements.
In addition to enhancing design capabilities, the partnership addresses the operational aspect of manufacturing. Huang and Daloz discussed how modern factories are evolving from static entities into dynamic, adaptive systems that can be designed, simulated, and operated as virtual twins. This change reflects an industry shift towards more flexible and responsive manufacturing environments.
As part of their strategy, Dassault Systèmes plans to deploy NVIDIA-powered AI factories on three continents, facilitated by their OUTSCALE sovereign cloud. This geographical outreach signifies their commitment to providing local enterprises with the tools necessary to meet their unique regulatory requirements while adopting advanced AI workloads.
While the partnership presents promising advancements, the absence of specific timelines, cost structures, or practical deployment strategies leaves many questions unanswered. Analysts note that without a clear roadmap, the ambitious visions articulated at the event could remain aspirational.
With Huang and Daloz at the helm, this partnership is positioned to lead the charge towards a new era of industry innovation. As companies increasingly seek to mitigate risks associated with production and streamline their engineering processes, integrating AI with established manufacturing practices may redefine what is feasible.
The focus now shifts to the practical implementation of these ambitious goals. As Huang noted, “Success is not about automation… [engineers] want to invent the future.” With virtual companions increasingly integrated into engineering workflows, the coming years will likely showcase how this collaboration will unfold, ideally delivering on its profound promise to reshape the landscape of manufacturing and design forever.
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