'Don't be that person who ignores this technology': Nvidia CEO warns AI will rewrite the rules of employment

Economic Times

2 days ago

ETtech Nvidia's Jensen Huang claims the real threat isn't AI itself, but humans skilled in using it. From automating tasks to creating new professions, AI's influence is undeniable.
In a bold and unsettling prediction, Jensen Huang, co-founder and CEO of Nvidia—the $3.3 trillion chip-making behemoth powering the world's most advanced AI tools—issued a stark warning: 'You're not going to lose your job to an AI, but you're going to lose your job to someone who uses AI.' Speaking to a packed room at the Milken Institute Global Conference on May 6, Huang emphasized that artificial intelligence isn't just a future concern—it's already altering the workplace as we know it. 'Every job will be affected, and immediately. It is unquestionable,' said the 62-year-old tech visionary. The message was loud and clear: those who embrace AI will outrun those who don't. Chris Hyams, CEO of job platform Indeed, echoed Huang's concerns while talking with CNBC Make It . While there may not be jobs that AI can fully automate just yet, nearly two-thirds of roles listed on the site contain tasks AI can handle. In this landscape, humans who can collaborate with, train, and command AI systems are rapidly becoming the most sought-after professionals. And therein lies the new arms race: knowledge. 'There are about 30 million people in the world who know how to program and use this technology to its extreme,' Huang said. 'The instrument we invented, we know how to use. But the other 7-and-a-half billion people don't.'
But not every tech leader shares Huang's optimism. Dario Amodei, CEO of AI safety startup Anthropic, painted a grimmer picture. In an interview with Axios , Amodei warned that AI could potentially wipe out half of all entry-level white-collar jobs in as little as five years. In his words: 'Cancer is cured, the economy grows at 10% a year, the budget is balanced—and 20% of people don't have jobs.' His prediction isn't just about automation, but about a hiring freeze. As AI evolves, he suggests, companies might stop creating new jobs altogether. Already, companies like Shopify, Duolingo, and Fiverr are requiring employees to use AI in their workflows. At Shopify, AI tools must be exhausted before hiring requests are even considered, as per an internal memo from CEO Tobi Lutke. Despite the unsettling forecasts, Huang remains optimistic about AI's ability to create new kinds of work. Speaking at another event—the Hill and Valley Forum—he explained that machine-generated software is replacing traditional coding. 'What used to be human-coded softwares running on CPUs are now machine learning generated softwares running on GPUs,' he noted.
This shift, he argues, is opening up entirely new layers of industry and trade. 'Every single layer of the tooling is being invented right now, and it creates tons of jobs at the next layer,' he added. Both Huang and fellow billionaire Mark Cuban agree: the real risk is falling behind in AI literacy. On his ReThinking podcast appearance, Huang revealed that he often drafts content using tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. He insists that AI isn't just about coding anymore—it's about communication, creativity, and problem-solving. 'If you don't know how to program a computer, you just tell the AI, 'I don't know how to program,' and it will tell you exactly how to,' he explained. 'You could draw a schematic, or a picture, and ask it what to do.' Mark Cuban, meanwhile, has been putting his money where his mouth is. Since 2019, he's funded free AI bootcamps for underprivileged high school students across the U.S., urging them to embrace AI as early as possible. 'Read books and learn how to use AI in every way, shape and form you can,' he advised.
When I talk to kids today and they ask me what I would do if I were 12 today, my answer is always the same, read books and learn how to use AI in every way shape and form you can. It is a living library that gives you responses and can help no matter who you are or where you live. — Mark Cuban (@mcuban.bsky.social) February 18, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Huang's final takeaway wasn't just a forecast—it was a call to action. 'Don't be that person who ignores this technology,' he urged. 'Take advantage of AI.'
As artificial intelligence accelerates at lightning speed, the most valuable skill may not be technical ability, but adaptability. Whether you're a student, a manager, or someone just trying to hold onto your career, the future belongs to those who work with AI—not against it.