# Why robots haven't had their ChatGPT moment yet

> Nvidia's Les Karpas explains the biggest bottleneck holding back physical AI and what it'll take to break through.
- Title: Why robots haven't had their ChatGPT moment yet · TechCrunch
- Summary: Nvidia's Les Karpas explains the biggest bottleneck holding back physical AI and what it'll take to break through. Robotics lacks the internet-scale datasets…
- Keywords: nvidia, les karpas, robotics, physical ai, techcrunch disrupt, chatgpt, datasets, synthetic data, simulation, nvidia inception, san francisco, moscone west
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/16/robots-are-waiting-for-a-chatgpt-moment-nvidias-les-karpas-explains-why-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2026
- Author: TechCrunch Events
- Published: 2026-09-16T15:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nvidia, les karpas, robotics, physical ai, techcrunch disrupt, chatgpt, datasets, synthetic data, simulation, nvidia inception, san francisco, moscone west
## ChatGPT changed everything for AI
When ChatGPT launched in November 2022, it pushed AI beyond hype into daily reality. Robotics is still waiting for that breakthrough.
## Les Karpas speaks at Disrupt
Nvidia's Global Head of Physical AI will explain what's blocking robotics' big moment at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco.
## The data problem is massive
Nobody has an internet-wide dataset for physical AI like OpenAI and Anthropic had for language. That's the core limitation.

> Nobody has an internet-wide dataset for physical AI in the way OpenAI, Anthropic, and others had for language.
## Self-driving cars had an advantage
Waymo and competitors built datasets through years of accumulated road miles, expanding market by market.
## Startups are manufacturing scale artificially
A growing ecosystem is trying to solve the data gap through simulation, synthetic data, and foundation models trained across many robot forms.
## Karpas has a unique vantage point
As Nvidia Inception's Physical AI head, he coordinates with startups across robotics, automotive, manufacturing, and smart cities.
## His background spans multiple industries
Karpas has been an architect, manufacturing engineer, startup CEO, and venture capitalist at companies from iRobot to Cirque du Soleil.
## Join 10,000 tech leaders in October
Disrupt runs October 13-15 at Moscone West. Tickets save up to $200 before September 25, with group discounts up to 30%.
## Key takeaway

Robotics lacks the internet-scale datasets that powered AI's breakthrough, forcing startups to create synthetic data and simulation workarounds.