Jensen Huang Founder, President and CEO at NVIDIA | Official website
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang recently shared his thoughts on the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing society during a conversation with Oregon State University President Jayathi Murthy. Speaking to over 2,000 faculty, students, and staff, Huang expressed his belief that AI is a transformative technology that can uplift marginalized communities. He stated, "I believe that artificial intelligence is the technology industry’s single greatest contribution to social elevation, to lift all of the people that have historically been left behind."
The dialogue took place at a forum commemorating the groundbreaking for a new research building named after Huang and his wife, Lori, who are both Oregon State alumni. The facility aims to solidify Oregon State's position as a leader in the semiconductor industry and high-performance computing.
Huang emphasized the potential of AI to democratize opportunities, noting, "Because programming is so hard, the number of people who have benefitted from this, putting it to use for their economic prosperity, has been limited." He highlighted how AI can serve as a constant companion and tutor, offering assistance to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
The CEO's visit to Oregon State marked the culmination of a week showcasing NVIDIA's dedication to equipping the future workforce with AI and high-performance computing skills. Huang underscored the importance of education in the current technological landscape, stating, "We’re at the beginning of a new industrial revolution."
Furthermore, Huang emphasized the pivotal role of collaboration and adaptability in harnessing the potential of AI across various disciplines. He mentioned, "That makes learning how to think — and how to collaborate — more important than ever."
In addition to the event at Oregon State, NVIDIA has been involved in various initiatives globally to advance AI education and research. From partnerships in Japan and the United States to collaborations with universities like Georgia Tech, the company is committed to fostering innovation and preparing students for the evolving tech landscape.
As Huang envisions a future where AI plays a central role in societal progress, he encouraged individuals to seize the opportunities presented by this transformative technology. He concluded, "This is the beginning of a new world and this is the best of times to go to school — the whole world is changing, right? New technology and new capabilities, new instruments and new ways to learn."
