NVIDIA commits to preserving ARM's neutral licensing model while offering GPU integration options.

Nvidia and Arm are projecting confidence that their proposed $40bn merger, set to be the largest deal of its kind in the semiconductor world, will receive regulatory approval. Jensen Huang, Nvidia's chief executive, and Simon Segars, Arm's chief executive, presented a united front during a virtual "fireside" chat on Monday, kicking off Arm's virtual DevSummit conference.

Huang anticipated the acquisition process would take more than a year to secure watchdog approval. "As soon as we explain the rationale of the transaction, the regulators will realize that we are two complimentary companies," he said. He outlined the companies' commitment to transparency with regulators, saying, "We'll explain what we do, and where we belong in the ecosystem. We will create innovations that are good for the market, and good for customers."

Huang addressed concerns about Arm's independence by pledging to preserve the company's neutral, Switzerland-like position in the industry, which allows it to license chip designs to any customer without picking favorites or sidelining rivals. He further indicated that Nvidia intends for Arm to license some of Nvidia's own GPU technology as part of the arrangement.