Concerned about artificial intelligence? Nvidia’s billionaire CEO suggests pursuing a career in plumbing

Jensen Huang: Skilled Trades Are Key to the AI Revolution

Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, has encouraged individuals to pursue careers as electricians and plumbers to take advantage of the rapid growth in artificial intelligence. He emphasized that the surge in investments—totaling trillions of dollars—into projects like data centers will create a wave of high-paying skilled jobs, marking what he calls the most significant infrastructure expansion ever seen.

Huang’s remarks were intended to ease concerns that AI could trigger massive job losses and disrupt economies worldwide.

Nvidia, now valued at $4.4 trillion (£3.3 trillion), has reached the top of the global market thanks to soaring demand for its chips. Despite this, the company faces skepticism from those who believe it is simply riding an AI investment bubble.

The Scale of AI Infrastructure Growth

“We are only at the beginning of this transformation,” Huang explained. “So far, a few hundred billion dollars have been spent, but there are still trillions more needed to build out the necessary infrastructure.”

He noted that around the globe, new chip manufacturing sites, computer assembly lines, and AI facilities are being constructed at a pace never seen before. This, he said, is creating the largest infrastructure project in history.

Opportunities for Skilled Workers

“Supporting this expansion requires a vast workforce,” Huang stated. “AI factories rely on electricians, plumbers, pipe-fitters, steelworkers, network specialists, installers, and operators.”

He highlighted that these roles are well-compensated and currently in high demand. “You don’t need an advanced degree in computer science to be part of this change,” he added.

AI and the Future of Work

Contrary to fears that AI will eliminate jobs, Huang pointed to the healthcare sector as an example. Even as AI tools help interpret medical scans, the need for radiologists continues to rise.

“AI now assists with routine tasks, allowing radiologists to focus on decision-making, communication, and patient care,” he said. “This boosts hospital productivity, enables them to treat more patients, and leads to more hiring.”

Massive Investments and Industry Challenges

Major technology companies are planning unprecedented investments in AI data centers. Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta are set to spend $660 billion this year—a 60% increase from last year—with much of it going toward building new AI infrastructure.

However, not all companies are expanding. Oracle, for example, recently announced job cuts and abandoned plans with OpenAI to enlarge a major Texas site.

Rising energy costs and concerns about electricity bills for consumers have also cast doubt on the pace of data center expansion, as these facilities require enormous amounts of power.

In response, tech industry leaders met at the White House last week and agreed to take on the financial responsibility of increasing electricity production to support this growth.