Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed cautious optimism about President Donald Trump’s recent executive order increasing the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000, in an interview with CNBC on Monday. The announcement, made just days earlier, sparked widespread confusion and concern across Silicon Valley, with major tech firms like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Google advising H-1B visa holders not to leave the U.S. or to return quickly if already abroad. However, the White House clarified that the new fee would apply only to new applicants, not to those already holding valid visas, easing some immediate anxiety. Huang, speaking on behalf of Nvidia—one of the largest H-1B employers in the U.S., with 1,519 filings among its 36,000 global employees as of fiscal year 2025, according to a Business Insider analysis—emphasized the importance of immigration to American innovation. “We want all the brightest minds to come to the United States. Remember immigration is the foundation of the American dream, and we represent the American dream,” he said. He praised Trump’s move, calling it a step toward ensuring the H-1B program attracts top global talent, which he believes is vital for both his company and the nation’s future. Altman echoed this sentiment, stating that the goal should be to bring in the smartest people to the country. He welcomed the idea of streamlining the process and aligning financial incentives, suggesting that the new fee could help prioritize high-skilled workers and discourage misuse of the visa for roles that could otherwise be filled by American workers. “We need to get the smartest people in the country, and streamlining that process and also sort of aligning financial incentives seems good to me,” he said. The two executives also used the platform to announce a landmark $100 billion investment from Nvidia into OpenAI, aimed at building massive data centers powered by Nvidia’s AI chips. The partnership underscores the growing reliance of the AI industry on global talent and infrastructure, with both companies highlighting the need for a robust pipeline of skilled workers. The H-1B visa program has long been critical to the tech sector, with companies relying heavily on foreign talent—particularly from India and China, which accounted for 71% and 11.7% of H-1B holders in the past year. The $100,000 fee represents a dramatic shift, potentially raising costs for employers and raising questions about access to talent. However, officials argue the fee will help ensure the program serves its intended purpose: bringing in highly skilled workers who fill critical gaps in the U.S. labor market. While the new policy has raised concerns about its impact on innovation and competitiveness, Huang and Altman’s positive response signals confidence that the changes, if properly implemented, could strengthen the U.S. position in the global AI race. Their joint announcement of a massive investment further highlights how the future of AI depends not just on technology, but on the ability to attract and retain top global talent. The decision now shifts to how companies adapt to the new financial and procedural requirements, and whether the fee will deter or deter only low-quality applications, ultimately benefiting the U.S. tech ecosystem in the long run.