All eyes are on Nvidia (NVDA) as the tech giant gears up for its annual developer conference, GTC 2024. The event, the first in-person gathering since the pandemic, holds immense weight for Nvidia's future. With CEO Jensen Huang at the helm, the company has become the dominant supplier of AI chips, but can it maintain this position?

The stakes are high. Nvidia's market cap recently surpassed $2 trillion, putting it within striking distance of Apple (AAPL) for the number two spot behind Microsoft (MSFT). Analysts predict record-breaking revenue for Nvidia this year, fueled by surging demand for its AI chips used in chatbots, image generation, and other cutting-edge applications.

However, the key question at GTC 2024 revolves around Nvidia's long-term dominance. This year's conference is expected to unveil the next generation of Nvidia's high-end AI processor, codenamed B100. This chip promises to be the centerpiece of Nvidia's AI systems, further solidifying its position in the burgeoning AI computing space.

Challenges lie ahead. Demand for Nvidia's current chips already outstrips supply, leaving software developers waiting for access. The B100 is likely to be even pricier than its predecessors, potentially impacting future sales. While Nvidia's stock has soared in recent years, some analysts worry that future earnings forecasts might be overly optimistic, leading to a potential stock price correction.

To maintain its lead, Nvidia needs to keep developers locked into its ecosystem. GTC 2024 is likely to showcase updates to Nvidia's CUDA software, a developer toolkit for running AI programs on their chips. This software advantage makes it difficult for developers to switch to competitors like AMD (AMD) or in-house solutions offered by Microsoft and Google (GOOGL). Expanding its cloud service offerings for chips and software is another area to watch, potentially creating friction with established cloud service providers.

The looming threat of Chinese competition also demands attention. While the US restricts access to Nvidia's most advanced chips in China, Chinese companies like Huawei (HWT) are developing competitive alternatives. However, analysts expect the B100 to further widen the performance gap between Nvidia and its Chinese rivals, thanks to continuous improvements in silicon, software, and application stacks.

Overall, GTC 2024 promises to be a pivotal event for Nvidia. The conference will showcase new products, strategies, and its vision for the future of AI computing. As the company grapples with maintaining its dominance and navigating geopolitical challenges, one thing is certain: Nvidia's journey will be closely watched by the entire tech industry.