Nvidia Weighs In: How Close Are We to a ChatGPT Moment for Robots?

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Nvidia's Les Karpas addressed the question of when robotics will experience a breakthrough similar to the ChatGPT moment in AI. The biggest obstacle, according to Karpas, is data. While large language models have benefited from vast amounts of text data, robots lack comparable datasets for learning physical tasks. Karpas discussed what it will take to trigger a capability explosion in robotics and how close we are to that milestone. He highlighted the need for simulation, real-world data collection, and advances in reinforcement learning. Karpas also talked about Nvidia's efforts to provide the tools and platforms necessary for robotics development. The conversation offered a realistic assessment of the challenges and opportunities in embodied AI. This session is essential for anyone following the progress of robotics and AI. Follow TechCrunch for more from Disrupt 2026.