US President Donald Trump honoured six prominent technology leaders, including Indian-origin Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, with the country’s highest awards for scientific achievement and technological innovation at the New Golden Age Summit. Nadella and Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, while Musk, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su were awarded the National Medal of Science. Trump praised their contributions to artificial intelligence, cloud computing, semiconductors, space exploration and satellite communications, while outlining his administration’s ambitions to maintain American technological leadership.
Washington, Oct 2026 : US President Donald Trump has honoured six leading figures from the American technology and scientific community, including Indian-origin Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, recognising their contributions to innovation, artificial intelligence, computing and space exploration.
The awards were presented at the New Golden Age Summit on Thursday, where Trump described the recipients’ achievements as central to maintaining the United States’ global technological leadership.
Nadella and Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, while Musk, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su were honoured with the National Medal of Science.
The ceremony brought together some of the most influential figures in artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, cloud computing, electric vehicles and commercial space exploration.
Nadella recognised for transforming Microsoft
Trump praised Nadella for leading Microsoft’s transformation into a global technology powerhouse, particularly through the expansion of its cloud computing business and its growing role in artificial intelligence.
“For more than three decades, Satya Nadella has been a key figure in the transformation of Microsoft,” Trump said.
He credited Nadella with expanding the company’s cloud computing capabilities and making its technology accessible to businesses, students and consumers worldwide.
Trump also highlighted Nadella’s role in positioning Microsoft at the forefront of advanced artificial intelligence.
“Then he (Satya Nadella) had the vision to make Microsoft an early leader in super intelligence,” the President said while presenting the award.
“Satya, we are honoured to give you the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. It is so well deserved. Congratulations, Satya,” he added.
The award citation recognised Nadella’s leadership in adapting Microsoft to the cloud computing era and developing the infrastructure needed to support the creation and worldwide deployment of advanced artificial intelligence systems.
Michael Dell was similarly recognised for helping make personal computers widely accessible and building a global technology company.
Trump calls Musk a ‘modern-day Thomas Edison’
Musk received particular attention during the ceremony, with Trump describing him as a modern-day Thomas Edison and praising his contributions to space exploration, electric vehicles, satellite communications and emerging technologies.
“Few Americans in history have done more to advance America's national interest than Elon, in one field after another, his genius and determination have made science fiction into reality,” Trump said.
The President credited SpaceX, founded by Musk in 2002, with changing the economics of space exploration through the development of privately built rockets and reusable launch systems.
He said SpaceX had reduced America's dependence on foreign countries for transporting astronauts into space and praised the company's role as a major partner of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Trump also highlighted Starship, SpaceX's large rocket designed for rapid reuse, and Starlink, its satellite communications network.
Recalling a hurricane in North Carolina that left communities isolated by floodwaters, Trump said he had contacted Musk after learning that residents needed communications support to reach emergency responders.
According to the President, Starlink equipment was delivered within hours despite logistical challenges.
“So I never forgot that experience. It was a terrible time and the job he (Elon Musk) did, and he acted so fast,” Trump said, claiming that the intervention had saved hundreds of lives. The figure was not independently substantiated in the remarks cited.
Trump also praised Musk's work through Tesla in the electric vehicle industry and Neuralink's research into brain-computer interfaces. He said such technologies held potential for helping people with severe disabilities regain functions such as sight, speech and movement.
The President additionally recalled that his uncle, Dr John Trump, a longtime Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor, had been asked by the US government to assess the scientific work of inventor Nikola Tesla. According to Trump, his uncle had recognised Tesla's exceptional scientific abilities.
“Elon is our modern-day Thomas Edison,” Trump said, adding that Musk was a special figure whose work had made a significant impact across several industries.
Brin, Huang and Su honoured for scientific contributions
Google co-founder Sergey Brin was recognised for developing algorithms that transformed how people access and retrieve information. Trump also noted Brin's renewed involvement at Google, including his efforts to advance the company's work in artificial intelligence.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang received the National Medal of Science for his contributions to graphics processing technology, which has become a critical component of modern artificial intelligence infrastructure.
“The entire world is now running on Nvidia,” Trump said, highlighting the company's influence in computing systems used to develop and operate AI applications.
AMD CEO Lisa Su was honoured for her contributions to semiconductor engineering and high-performance computing, fields that underpin advances in artificial intelligence, scientific research and advanced digital systems.
US outlines priorities in emerging technologies
The President used the summit to outline his administration's priorities in science and technology, including quantum computing, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence and space exploration.
Trump said the United States was working towards developing a quantum computer for scientific discovery by 2028. He also referred to the Genesis mission and a White House accord on superintelligence, presenting them as part of broader efforts to strengthen America's position in emerging technologies.
The National Medal of Science recognises outstanding contributions to scientific knowledge, while the National Medal of Technology and Innovation honours achievements that advance technological progress and innovation in the United States.
The recognition of the six technology leaders underscored the administration's emphasis on innovation as a strategic priority, particularly as countries compete to lead in artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, advanced computing and commercial space operations.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
