Jensen Huang (Nvidia) (May 2023)

Jensen Huang (Nvidia Co-founder) – NTU Commencement Speech (May 2023)

Chapters

00:00:00 NVIDIA GPUs Enable Scientific Discovery and Innovation

00:03:36 AI Revolutionizing Industries and Creating New Opportunities

Introduction:
Jensen Huang reminisces about the simpler world of 1984, before the PC revolution, cable television, and mobile phones. Contrasting that era with today’s complex geopolitical, social, and environmental challenges, Huang highlights the pervasive impact of technology and the emergence of AI.

AI as a Transformative Force:
Huang emphasizes the potential of AI to automate tasks across multi-trillion dollar industries like healthcare, financial services, transportation, and manufacturing. He foresees agile companies embracing AI to bolster their positions, while those lagging behind risk perishing.

Emergence of New Industries and Jobs:
Huang predicts the creation of new industries and jobs due to AI, citing examples like data engineering, prompt engineering, AI factory operations, and AI safety engineers. While some jobs may become obsolete, AI is poised to transform every job, enhancing the performance of programmers, designers, artists, marketers, and manufacturing planners.

Learning to Leverage AI:
Huang stresses the importance of embracing AI and learning to collaborate with it as a copilot to achieve remarkable feats. He dispels fears of AI replacing jobs, asserting that individuals skilled in AI will thrive.

AI as a Fundamental and Revolutionary Shift:
Huang characterizes AI as a far more fundamental technology than previous computing eras, as it reinvents every computing layer, from software writing to processing. He views this as a rebirth of the computer industry, presenting a golden opportunity for Taiwanese companies, who are foundational to the industry.

Replacement of Traditional Computers with Accelerated AI Computers:
Huang predicts that within the next decade, the industry will replace over a trillion dollars’ worth of traditional computers with new accelerated AI computers.

Conclusion:
Huang reflects on his own journey, starting in 1984, and expresses optimism for the graduating class of 2023, comparing it to his successful graduation from National Taiwan University. He advises the graduates to view today as the most successful day of their lives so far and to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

00:08:57 Facing Challenges and Making Strategic Decisions in a Changing World

The Early Days:
NVIDIA’s first venture into 3D graphics for PC gaming encountered a setback with their initial architecture. Facing a choice between completing an inferior product or breaking a contract with Sega, Jensen Huang made the difficult decision to stop the project. Irimajiri-san, CEO of Sega, showed understanding and generosity by paying NVIDIA in full, granting them a lifeline.

The Rise of CUDA:
In 2007, NVIDIA introduced CUDA GPU Accelerated Computing aiming to revolutionize scientific computing, physics simulations, and image processing. Creating a new computing model proved challenging, facing skepticism from shareholders who preferred focusing on profitability. NVIDIA persisted, promoting CUDA tirelessly, and attracting applications from various science domains.

The Deep Learning Revolution:
The discovery of CUDA by AI researchers in 2012 marked a turning point. Recognizing the potential of deep learning, NVIDIA dedicated its resources to advancing the field, risking everything to pursue this new direction. A decade later, the AI revolution fueled by NVIDIA’s CUDA became a reality, solidifying their position as the engine of AI developers worldwide.

Strategic Retreat from the Mobile Chip Market:
In 2010, NVIDIA entered the mobile chip market to assist Google in developing Android into a mobile computer with superior graphics. Despite initial success, competition intensified, and NVIDIA faced the challenge of balancing computing expertise with modem expertise. The company made a strategic decision to retreat from the phone market, recognizing that their mission was to build computers for solving complex problems, not to fight for market share.

The Birth of Robotics and a New Industry:
Retreating from the phone market opened up possibilities for innovation. NVIDIA envisioned a new type of computer for robotic applications, equipped with neural network processors and safety architectures for AI algorithms. This decision led to the creation of a new industry, with NVIDIA now boasting a multi-billion-dollar automotive and robotics business.

Conclusion:
These stories illustrate NVIDIA’s resilience, perseverance, and willingness to embrace strategic retreat when necessary. For the graduating class of 2023, entering a world of great change, Jensen Huang encourages them to embrace the AI era, run after their ideas, and shape the future through innovation.

Abstract

The Evolving Landscape of Technology and Innovation: Lessons from NVIDIA’s Journey

In a rapidly transformed world, Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, delivers insightful observations on the journey of innovation and adaptation at the National Taiwan University (NTU) commencement ceremony. Recalling NVIDIA’s pivotal moments, Huang emphasizes the importance of persistence, adaptability, and embracing artificial intelligence (AI) as a fundamental reinvention of computing. His speech not only celebrates the graduates’ accomplishments but also serves as a narrative of technological evolution, the impact of AI, and the crucial lessons learned from NVIDIA’s experiences in changing technological paradigms.

Moving Out and Parental Sacrifice:

Today marks a momentous occasion for the graduating class of 2023, a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Behind each graduate’s achievement stands the unwavering support of their parents. The speaker acknowledges the sacrifices parents have made to see their children reach this milestone and expresses gratitude to the parents and grandparents present at the ceremony.

NVIDIA’s Commencement Address: A Celebration of Innovation and Resilience

Jensen Huang’s address at NTU highlights the significance of embracing change and innovation. He recounts NVIDIA’s journey, emphasizing the importance of persistence and adaptability in the face of challenges. A personal story about Dr. Chang’s inventive use of NVIDIA’s CUDA technology in a homemade supercomputer exemplifies the spirit of ingenuity and the transformative impact of AI in various sectors.

NTU Supercomputer and NVIDIA’s CUDA:

Over a decade ago, the speaker visited NTU at the invitation of Dr. Chang, a computational physics professor. Dr. Chang’s son, who lived in Silicon Valley, had suggested using NVIDIA’s CUDA invention for quantum physics simulations. Upon arrival, the speaker witnessed Dr. Chang’s homemade supercomputer, constructed using NVIDIA GeForce gaming cards. This early example highlighted NVIDIA’s journey and the company’s purpose.

Dr. Chang’s Touching Words:

Dr. Chang expressed his gratitude, stating that NVIDIA’s work had enabled him to complete his life’s work within his lifetime. These words continue to inspire the speaker, encapsulating NVIDIA’s mission to assist the Einsteins and Da Vincis of our time in achieving their life’s work. The speaker concludes by expressing delight at returning to NTU for the commencement address.

The Rise of AI-Driven Computing: A New Era

Huang’s reflections on the dawn of the PC revolution and the subsequent rise of AI highlight a significant shift in the tech landscape. He emphasizes the importance of AI in modern computing, predicting a future where AI-powered computers replace traditional systems. This shift, according to Huang, is not merely incremental but a complete reinvention of computing, presenting vast opportunities for industries and individuals willing to embrace AI.

Introduction:

Jensen Huang reminisces about a simpler world in 1984, before the advent of the PC revolution, cable television, and mobile phones. Contrasting that era with today’s complex geopolitical, social, and environmental challenges, Huang highlights the pervasive impact of technology and the emergence of AI.

AI as a Transformative Force:

Huang emphasizes the potential of AI to automate tasks across multi-trillion-dollar industries like healthcare, financial services, transportation, and manufacturing. He foresees agile companies embracing AI to bolster their positions, while those lagging behind risk perishing.

Confronting Mistakes: Key to NVIDIA’s Success

NVIDIA’s path to success was not without setbacks. Huang shares pivotal stories, such as the Sega misadventure and the strategic retreat from the mobile market, to illustrate the importance of confronting mistakes and making bold decisions. These experiences shaped NVIDIA’s strategy, leading to groundbreaking developments like CUDA GPU Accelerated Computing and a focus on AI, ultimately transforming the company into a leader in AI technology.

The Early Days:

NVIDIA’s first venture into 3D graphics for PC gaming encountered a setback with their initial architecture. Facing a choice between completing an inferior product or breaking a contract with Sega, Jensen Huang made the difficult decision to stop the project. Irimajiri-san, CEO of Sega, showed understanding and generosity by paying NVIDIA in full, granting them a lifeline.

The Rise of CUDA:

In 2007, NVIDIA introduced CUDA GPU Accelerated Computing, aiming to revolutionize scientific computing, physics simulations, and image processing. Creating a new computing model proved challenging, facing skepticism from shareholders who preferred focusing on profitability. NVIDIA persisted, promoting CUDA tirelessly, and attracting applications from various science domains.

The Future of Computing and Innovation

Huang’s address to the Class of 2023 was not just a recount of NVIDIA’s journey but a roadmap for future innovators. He stressed the importance of embracing failure, confronting challenges with humility, and continuously adapting to technological shifts. His message to the graduates was clear: the path to innovation is paved with perseverance, strategic thinking, and a willingness to embrace new paradigms.

The Deep Learning Revolution:

The discovery of CUDA by AI researchers in 2012 marked a turning point. Recognizing the potential of deep learning, NVIDIA dedicated its resources to advancing the field, risking everything to pursue this new direction. A decade later, the AI revolution fueled by NVIDIA’s CUDA became a reality, solidifying their position as the engine of AI developers worldwide.

Strategic Retreat from the Mobile Chip Market:

In 2010, NVIDIA entered the mobile chip market to assist Google in developing Android into a mobile computer with superior graphics. Despite initial success, competition intensified, and NVIDIA faced the challenge of balancing computing expertise with modem expertise. The company made a strategic decision to retreat from the phone market, recognizing that their mission was to build computers for solving complex problems, not to fight for market share.

Embracing Change in a Technologically Advanced World

In conclusion, Jensen Huang’s commencement speech at NTU offered a compelling narrative on the evolution of technology and the lessons learned from NVIDIA’s journey. His insights into the rise of AI, the importance of confronting mistakes, and the need for adaptability in a rapidly changing world provide valuable guidance for the next generation of innovators. As we stand on the brink of new technological eras, Huang’s words serve as a reminder of the importance of embracing change and innovation to create a transformative impact in various industries and sectors.

The Birth of Robotics and a New Industry:

Retreating from the phone market opened up possibilities for innovation. NVIDIA envisioned a new type of computer for robotic applications, equipped with neural network processors and safety architectures for AI algorithms. This decision led to the creation of a new industry, with NVIDIA now boasting a multi-billion-dollar automotive and robotics business.

These stories illustrate NVIDIA’s resilience, perseverance, and willingness to embrace strategic retreat when necessary. For the graduating class of 2023, entering a world of great change, Jensen Huang encourages them to embrace the AI era, run after their ideas, and shape the future through innovation.

Notes by: Random Access

Jensen Huang (Nvidia Co-founder) – NTU Commencement Speech (May 2023)

Chapters

Abstract

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