Huang Renxun's latest university speech: AI will not replace you; your career already has the most powerful weapon in history from the start

Jensen Huang delivers a speech to 5,800 Carnegie Mellon University graduates, emphasizing how AI is reshaping computing paradigms and enabling everyone to become engineers. AI will not replace humans, but those who make good use of AI will. He encourages students to run full speed toward the future.

Jensen Huang’s latest university speech: The AI revolution ushers in a new era for graduates

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang was invited to speak at Carnegie Mellon University’s graduation ceremony on Mother’s Day (5/10) and was awarded an honorary doctorate. In front of over 5,800 graduates, he shared insights on the paradigm shift in computing, how infrastructure development bridges the technological gap, and workplace changes in the face of technological waves.

Key Point 1: The Shift in Computing Paradigms

In his speech, Huang reviewed the development from mainframes, personal computers, the internet, to cloud computing, emphasizing that the current change is unprecedented in scale.

He pointed out that computing methods are undergoing a fundamental reset for the first time in 60 years, ending the era where humans write software and computers execute instructions. AI has reshaped computing. The technological evolution is shifting from coding to machine learning, from CPUs running software to GPUs operating neural networks, enabling computers to understand, reason, and plan.

Huang stated that emerging industries are now creating large-scale intelligent manufacturing, and every industry will be transformed as a result.

Key Point 2: AI Bridges the Technology Gap

Huang mentioned that in the past, only a few people had the ability to write software, but now everyone can build software tools through AI. Whether a shop owner building a website or a carpenter designing a kitchen, AI technology is behind the scenes assisting with coding, allowing everyone to become a programmer for the first time.

This will also drive the largest expansion of technological infrastructure. To support AI, the U.S. will build chip factories, data centers, and advanced manufacturing facilities nationwide, promoting the development of modern power grids. Construction workers such as electricians and steelworkers will enter a new industrial era, and computing power will reach billions of people for the first time.

Key Point 3: Will AI Replace You?

Throughout history, every major technological revolution has created opportunities while also sparking fears. But the primary way to view it is with “clarity,” Huang said: “We shouldn’t teach people to fear the future, but to embrace it with optimism, responsibility, and ambition.”

Because while AI will automate many tasks and some jobs may disappear, it will also create many new jobs and entirely new industries.

Huang explained that the “task” and the “purpose” of work are two different things. Tasks like coding will become increasingly automated, but software engineers using AI can expand their scope of problem-solving to tackle more ambitious challenges. AI will not replace human “purpose,” but rather amplify and enhance human capabilities.

Therefore, Huang emphasized: “AI is unlikely to replace you, but those who understand how to use AI better might.” Scientists and policymakers should safely advance technology, craft comprehensive policies, make AI accessible, and encourage everyone to participate. “Everyone should have access to AI opportunities; it shouldn’t be limited to those who can code.”

Further reading:
Back to the old days! Huang Huang: It’s not that young people aren’t working hard, but why being too early to wake up makes it even more exhausting?

Run, don’t walk

Every setback strengthens character; viewing failure as a learning moment builds the strength to try again.

Huang shared his own experience, saying that when Nvidia was just starting out, they nearly ran out of money because the technology didn’t work; he also once flew to SEGA’s headquarters to apologize and seek help from CEO Shoichiro Irimajiri after failing to fulfill a contract, demonstrating the importance of honesty and humility in business interactions.

Like the hope of Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian, graduates should become doers. Huang urged everyone, in line with the university’s motto, to fully dedicate themselves to their work, to create things worthy of their potential and education, and at this pivotal moment of technological reshaping the world, to run full speed toward the future:

“No generation has had more powerful tools or greater opportunities when entering society than you. We all stand at the starting line. Now is the time for you to help shape the future—so run, don’t walk!”

Jensen Huang’s speech video