NVIDIA founder Jensen Huang: I constantly feel exhausted, but fear and responsibility push me forward.

CN
2 hours ago

Written by: Techub News Compilation

Introduction

Recently, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang participated in an exclusive in-depth interview with CNA (Asian News Network). In about 50 minutes of conversation, this leader, who is at the peak of the global AI wave and heads the world's most valuable company, rarely revealed a different side beyond his aura: he refuted mainstream anxieties about AI, analyzed the business logic under geopolitical tech competition, and candidly shared the deep motivations driving his almost "007" work state—an intertwining of fear, responsibility, and dreams. This interview concerns not only the future of NVIDIA and the AI industry but also reflects the foundational growth and worldview of a Chinese-American tech leader.

Summary

  • Refuting the “AI causes unemployment” theory: Jensen Huang bluntly stated that attributing recent layoffs to AI is a “lazy narrative,” as AI has only just become useful, and companies are merely using it as an excuse. He advised those worried to actively learn AI, as the threat comes from those who understand AI better.
  • A historical perspective on technological impact: He believes that from personal computers to the internet, each technological revolution has sparked worries about “humans becoming lazy,” but the result has been that humans became busier and more ambitious, and AI will follow that pattern.
  • Discussing Chinese competition and market: He acknowledged that U.S. export controls created a vacuum, promoting the rise of Chinese companies like Huawei. He views China as a formidable competitor for everyone, but NVIDIA can still find value-added space within it.
  • Highly praising Taiwan's supply chain role: He noted NVIDIA's investments in Taiwan amount to hundreds of billions of dollars, stating that Taiwan is at the center of the AI supply chain, and no other region can drive AI's next phase of growth better than Taiwan.
  • Self-critique of the “strict boss” image: He likened himself to a typical “Taiwanese parent,” who always feels things are not good enough and constantly gives feedback (criticism), but with the intention of helping the other party improve and without holding grudges afterward.
  • Sources of motivation: He candidly expressed that he “always feels exhausted,” with his drive being a mix of the fear of failure, a sense of responsibility towards employees and partners, and an urgent desire to create the future and witness dreams come true.

AI and Employment: Learn, Don't Fear

In response to the widespread anxiety about AI replacing jobs globally, Jensen Huang's response was direct and powerful. He strongly opposed attributing the recent wave of layoffs simply to AI, calling it a “lazy narrative.” He pointed out that AI has only become truly useful in the past few months, yet many companies started laying off employees citing AI as a reason two or three years ago, which doesn't logically hold up. He believes this is just an excuse for certain CEOs to sound smarter, and such irresponsible statements are creating unnecessary panic.

However, Huang did not dismiss people's concerns. His proposed solution is clear and pragmatic: Learn AI. “You won’t lose your job to AI, you will lose your job to someone who knows AI better.” He emphasized that what AI is more likely to do is elevate your work and give it more value, provided you become an expert in using it. He urged people to actively engage with and understand this technology rather than fear it. At the same time, he pointed out that the industry has a responsibility to build and deploy AI in a safe manner with safeguards, and various application fields (such as healthcare, transportation) need to reassess existing regulations to prepare for the arrival of AI.

Historical Reflection: Technology Has Never Made Us Lethargic

When asked if AI would make people lazy in their thinking, Huang pulled the perspective back to a broader technological history. He recalled the emergence of personal computers, the internet, and mobile cloud computing, during which society shared the same worries—people feared that automation would make them lazy, and easy access to information would stop them from thinking. But history has proven the opposite.

“We found ourselves busier,” Huang said, “and the reason is that we became more ambitious.” Technological progress has expanded the boundaries of human capabilities, enabling us to engage in more complex and grand endeavors. He cited today's graduates as an example, believing they are "a hundred times smarter" than he was at graduation because of the knowledge and tools they have access to, which previous generations could not compare with. Information technology empowers humanity rather than making us lethargic. He believes AI will follow the same trajectory, leading humanity toward higher pursuits and busier creativity after a brief adjustment period.

NVIDIA in the Geopolitical Chessboard: Competition and Cooperation with the Chinese Market

As a central player in the global technological game, NVIDIA's relationship with the Chinese market has drawn considerable attention. Huang displayed a candid and pragmatic attitude towards this. He acknowledged that U.S. export controls have created a “vacuum” between NVIDIA and the Chinese market, which Chinese companies like Huawei have rapidly filled, achieving record growth. Although NVIDIA's technology is superior, the available local alternatives “are good enough” in its absence.

Huang understands that any government would encourage local companies to succeed, and China is no exception. However, he still believes that NVIDIA can add tremendous value to the Chinese market. He likened the AI industry to a “five-layer cake,” with NVIDIA's chip technology serving as just one layer. When NVIDIA enters the Chinese market, it is actually supporting the expansion of the other four layers (such as software, applications, services, etc.). Therefore, he does not regard China as a zero-sum competitor. “China will be the biggest competitor for everyone,” he admitted, mainly due to its vast and unified domestic market. However, he believes that from a more holistic industry perspective, NVIDIA can play an important role in the Chinese market and create value.

Taiwan: The Irreplaceable Heart of the AI Supply Chain

Born in Taiwan, Jensen Huang gives high praise to the role this land plays in the AI era. He revealed that NVIDIA's investment in AI infrastructure totals “hundreds of billions of dollars,” most of which are allocated to Taiwan. He stated plainly: “The center of AI is in Taiwan,” where companies (like TSMC) are at the core of AI possibilities, growth, and advancement.

Although he noted that Taiwan faces pressures regarding energy and land resources, his conclusion is crystal clear: “No region is better prepared for the sustained growth of AI than Taiwan.” He anticipates that Taiwan will grow exponentially in the coming years and specifically mentioned that robotics technology has the potential to revolutionarily enhance Taiwan's capacity for sustained growth. This statement undoubtedly strongly endorses Taiwan's strategic position in the global tech supply chain.

The “Taiwanese Parent” Leadership Philosophy: Strictness Comes from Expectations

Huang is known for having extremely high demands at work, nearly “torturing” his employees. He did not dispute this but embraced it, likening it to “Taiwanese parental” education. “In the eyes of a Taiwanese parent, nothing is ever good enough,” he said with a smile, “You could not go one day without criticism.” He believes his “torture” amounts to this continuous and immediate feedback. He does not hold back opinions and always points out problems immediately with the goal of helping the other party improve.

He emphasized that this criticism is like that of a Taiwanese parent—once the feedback is given, the matter is over and not held against anyone. “I am always very picky about everyone’s work because I know they can do better, and I hope they do better.” This straightforward, high-demanding yet forgiving style constitutes his unique leadership hallmark.

Immigrant Background and Motivation: The Fear and Dreams Behind Exhaustion

In the most personal part of the interview, Huang shared how his growth experience has shaped who he is today. He talked about his parents’ migration from Taiwan to Thailand, and then to the United States, starting from scratch with no friends or networks, just to provide a better future for their children. This immigrant struggle, the fear of failure, and the desire for success are deeply ingrained in his character.

When asked how he maintains an incredible energy while working seven days a week, his answer was surprisingly honest: “I always feel exhausted.” What drives him is a mix of complex emotions: primarily a fear of failure, not wanting to let NVIDIA fail, because too many people—employees, partners, friends in Taiwan—are counting on him. It is a heavy responsibility.

At the same time, he has within him a hopeful, optimistic, and ambitious “dreamer” part, eager to build something impactful that can contribute to the world and urgently wanting to see that future materialize in his lifetime. “I’m in a hurry to make it happen,” he said. He acknowledged that NVIDIA's entrepreneurial journey has been fraught with difficulties, often teetering on the brink of failure, and these deep struggles have become a part of his character, indelible.

Finally, when asked how long he plans to work, Huang gave a shocking answer: “I hope to die at my post.” To him, that would be a way for dreams to come true. This somewhat joking yet deeply sincere remark perhaps serves as the most vivid testament to this tech leader, driven by the survivorship instinct and fear of immigration, while nurturing the ambition to shape the future.

免责声明:本文章仅代表作者个人观点,不代表本平台的立场和观点。本文章仅供信息分享,不构成对任何人的任何投资建议。用户与作者之间的任何争议,与本平台无关。如网页中刊载的文章或图片涉及侵权,请提供相关的权利证明和身份证明发送邮件到support@aicoin.com,本平台相关工作人员将会进行核查。

Share To
APP

X

Telegram

Facebook

Reddit

CopyLink