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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has appeared on The Ezra Klein Show to discuss AI development, amid a wider discussion around its responsible usage and safety. Klein spoke to the Nvidia chief about multiple topics, including the AI industry's potential effects on the job market. "I tend to be a bit of a skeptic on mass job loss, but I want to air the case for it out here with you well," says Klein.
Klein then asks a question about lessons that could be learned from the past, regarding protecting US jobs from Mexico and China, and the acceleration of AI's ability to be slotted into new roles: "So the lessons of the past that you’re taking some comfort in, they should actually make you more, not less, worried about the future."
"I’m always worried about the future," Huang responds. "That’s why I work so hard. I’m a, if you will, responsible optimist.
"I have great responsibilities. I take my work extremely seriously. There are a lot of things that can go wrong. We’re pushing across every layer of the technology stack. Everything is hard," Huang continues.
"But it turns out that’s not society’s problem, that’s my problem. For society, what they should know is this: We’re going to build our company, we’re going to build our technology, I’m going to do my work so incredibly seriously that what they get to enjoy is my optimism. I do the same with my children. I do the same with my family."
(Image credit: Nvidia)
Certainly, the current AI debate seems to be dominated by an unease surrounding the potential negative impacts of the rapid advancement of the tech, from job losses to cybersecurity concerns. However, Huang seems to think that the upsides of this speedy development process might put some people's minds at ease.
"What we want to do, I believe," said Huang, "is to channel all of our worries into helping people be inspired by this technology and use it. Use it so that the technology doesn’t just impact them, that it benefits them."
After Klein posited the statistic that 79% of American think AI will reduce the number of jobs, and that AI advancement means the tech is more capable of replacing people at speed, Huang responds:
"That coin has exactly two sides. Because the technology is so capable and because it’s so smart, it is also easier to use. You are empowered by that technology more easily than any technology in human history."
The Nvidia CEO then goes on to give an example of how computers use specialised coding languages, but now, thanks to AI, "You just have to speak human."
(Image credit: JOSH EDELSON / AFP via Getty Images)
"So my point is, on the one hand, yes, there’s the fear of this incredible technology change and how quickly it’s happening. But that quickly is translated in two ways," says Huang.
"When I hear that the technology’s happening quickly, and therefore it should give me anxiety — that’s one way to receive it. The other way to receive it is that it’s advancing so quickly, it’s easier to use. So I should, as quickly as possible, use the technology so that I benefit from this transition, so you benefit from this new industry, and not just be impacted by it."
The inference here feels similar to an idea Huang has expressed previously: those who fail to get on the AI train may end up being left behind. I think the key point, however, is the lack of agency and control individuals feel towards this technological revolution, something that is unlikely to be assuaged by more useful tech—or Huang's optimism, for that matter.
While the Nvidia CEO famously possesses a massive work ethic, and responsible AI usage is a concern he seems to take seriously, I'm not particularly comfortable with the idea that our future seems destined to be shaped by AI tech leaders, and that we should rest easy within their hands.
While Huang may well believe that he has society's best interests in mind, the messaging here hasn't exactly put my own concerns to rest. Stop worrying and learn to love the machine? Something like that, anyway.
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Klein then asks a question about lessons that could be learned from the past, regarding protecting US jobs from Mexico and China, and the acceleration of AI's ability to be slotted into new roles: "So the lessons of the past that you’re taking some comfort in, they should actually make you more, not less, worried about the future."
"I’m always worried about the future," Huang responds. "That’s why I work so hard. I’m a, if you will, responsible optimist.
"I have great responsibilities. I take my work extremely seriously. There are a lot of things that can go wrong. We’re pushing across every layer of the technology stack. Everything is hard," Huang continues.
"But it turns out that’s not society’s problem, that’s my problem. For society, what they should know is this: We’re going to build our company, we’re going to build our technology, I’m going to do my work so incredibly seriously that what they get to enjoy is my optimism. I do the same with my children. I do the same with my family."
(Image credit: Nvidia)
Certainly, the current AI debate seems to be dominated by an unease surrounding the potential negative impacts of the rapid advancement of the tech, from job losses to cybersecurity concerns. However, Huang seems to think that the upsides of this speedy development process might put some people's minds at ease.
"What we want to do, I believe," said Huang, "is to channel all of our worries into helping people be inspired by this technology and use it. Use it so that the technology doesn’t just impact them, that it benefits them."
After Klein posited the statistic that 79% of American think AI will reduce the number of jobs, and that AI advancement means the tech is more capable of replacing people at speed, Huang responds:
"That coin has exactly two sides. Because the technology is so capable and because it’s so smart, it is also easier to use. You are empowered by that technology more easily than any technology in human history."
The Nvidia CEO then goes on to give an example of how computers use specialised coding languages, but now, thanks to AI, "You just have to speak human."
(Image credit: JOSH EDELSON / AFP via Getty Images)
"So my point is, on the one hand, yes, there’s the fear of this incredible technology change and how quickly it’s happening. But that quickly is translated in two ways," says Huang.
"When I hear that the technology’s happening quickly, and therefore it should give me anxiety — that’s one way to receive it. The other way to receive it is that it’s advancing so quickly, it’s easier to use. So I should, as quickly as possible, use the technology so that I benefit from this transition, so you benefit from this new industry, and not just be impacted by it."
The inference here feels similar to an idea Huang has expressed previously: those who fail to get on the AI train may end up being left behind. I think the key point, however, is the lack of agency and control individuals feel towards this technological revolution, something that is unlikely to be assuaged by more useful tech—or Huang's optimism, for that matter.
While the Nvidia CEO famously possesses a massive work ethic, and responsible AI usage is a concern he seems to take seriously, I'm not particularly comfortable with the idea that our future seems destined to be shaped by AI tech leaders, and that we should rest easy within their hands.
While Huang may well believe that he has society's best interests in mind, the messaging here hasn't exactly put my own concerns to rest. Stop worrying and learn to love the machine? Something like that, anyway.
Continue reading...
