The AI gold rush has a new king in Nvidia's Jensen Huang — leather jacket and all
The unassuming 62-year-old draws stadium crowds of more than 10,000 people as his company's products push the boundaries of artificial intelligence.
Chips designed by Nvidia, known as graphics cards or GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), are essential in developing the generative artificial intelligence powering technology like ChatGPT.
Big tech's insatiable appetite for Nvidia's GPUs, which sell for tens of thousands of dollars each, has catapulted the California chipmaker beyond US$4 trillion (RM17 trillion) in market valuation, the first company ever to surpass that mark.
Nvidia's meteoric rise has boosted Huang's personal fortune to US$150 billion — making him one of the world's richest people — thanks to the roughly 3.5 per cent stake he holds in the company he founded three decades ago with two friends in a Silicon Valley diner.
In a clear demonstration of his clout, he recently convinced President Donald Trump to lift restrictions on certain GPU exports to China, despite the fact that China is locked in a battle with the United States for AI supremacy.
'That was brilliantly done,' said Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a governance professor at Yale University.
Huang was able to explain to Trump that 'having the world using a US tech platform as the core protocol is definitely in the interest of this country' and won't help the Chinese military, Sonnenfeld said.
Early life
Born in Taipei in 1963, Jensen Huang (originally named Jen-Hsun) embodies the American success story. At nine years old, he was sent away with his brother to boarding school in small-town Kentucky.
His uncle recommended the school to his Taiwanese parents believing it to be a prestigious institution, when it was actually a school for troubled youth.
Too young to be a student, Huang boarded there but attended a nearby public school alongside the children of tobacco farmers. With his poor English, he was bullied and forced to clean toilets — a two-year ordeal that transformed him.
'We worked really hard, we studied really hard, and the kids were really tough,' he recounted in an interview with US broadcaster NPR.
But 'the ending of the story is I loved the time I was there,' Huang said.
Leather jacket and tattoo
Brought home by his parents, who had by then settled in the northwestern US state of Oregon, he graduated from university at just 20 and joined AMD, then LSI Logic, to design chips — his passion.
But he wanted to go further and founded Nvidia in 1993 to 'solve problems that normal computers can't,' using semiconductors powerful enough to handle 3D graphics, as he explained on the No Priors podcast.
Nvidia created the first GPU in 1999, riding the intersection of video games, data centres, cloud computing, and now, generative AI.
Always dressed in a black T-shirt and leather jacket, Huang sports a Nvidia logo tattoo and has a taste for sports cars.
But it's his relentless optimism, low-key personality and lack of political alignment that sets him apart from the likes of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
Unlike them, Huang was notably absent from Trump's inauguration ceremony.
'He backpedals his own aura and has the star be the technology rather than himself,' observed Sonnenfeld, who believes Huang may be 'the most respected of all today's tech titans.'
One former high-ranking Nvidia employee described him to AFP as 'the most driven person' he'd ever met.
Street food
On visits to his native Taiwan, Huang is treated like a megastar, with fans crowding him for autographs and selfies as journalists follow him to the barber shop and his favourite night market.
'He has created the phenomena because of his personal charm,' noted Wayne Lin of Witology Market Trend Research Institute.
'A person like him must be very busy and his schedule should be full everyday meeting big bosses. But he remembers to eat street food when he comes to Taiwan,' he said, calling Huang 'unusually friendly.'
Nvidia is a tight ship and takes great care to project a drama-free image of Huang.
But the former high-ranking employee painted a more nuanced picture, describing a 'very paradoxical' individual who is fiercely protective of his employees but also capable, within Nvidia's executive circle, of 'ripping people to shreds' over major mistakes or poor choices. — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
27 minutes ago
- The Star
Teaching AI: Balancing technology with critical thinking skills
FOR children in the digital age, learning about artificial intelligence (AI) in the not too distant future may be as easy as 1-2-3. In Malaysia, plans are underway for schools to introduce AI into the learning curriculum. Back in March 2024, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that primary school students will be taught the basics of AI starting from 2027. 'Pupils will be introduced to AI basics in the primary school level in the new technology and digital subject. Further exploration and application of AI will continue in the same subject in secondary school, as well as in the computer science, information and communications technology, and design and technology subjects,' she said in a local report. In April this year, Fadhlina said the ministry aims to equip 10,000 schools nationwide with smartboards by 2027 as part of an effort to prepare schools for the new curriculum roll-out. She believes that smartboards can help to promote more interactive learning as well as boosting digital skills among students. In the same month, the minister also shared that selected pilot schools are using AI-powered platforms with features to 'identify early risks of dropout and offer customised remediation'. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed hopes for digital technology and AI to be taught in schools, adding that it's crucial for the younger generation to start mastering future technologies from a primary level. 'These are the technologies of the future. To succeed, you must master them. That is why our universities now have AI faculties, every university has an AI unit and department, and it cuts across all disciplines. I also hope schools move quickly,' he said during an event on April 25. Global movement Schools around the world are also putting plans into motion for artificial intelligence to be a part of the classroom learning experience. Just two months ago, the United Arab Emirates announced plans to introduce AI into the public school curriculum this year. Bloomberg reported that students from kindergarten age to the 12th grade will learn about AI from a course that includes subjects on ethical awareness, foundational concepts and real-world applications. UAE daily The National reported that the AI curriculum will expose students to lessons that include designing their own AI systems and understanding command engineering with real-world scenarios. On X, UAE Prime Minister Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum said the initiative is part of the country's long-term plan to prepare its young people with advanced skills for the future. 'Our goal is to teach our children a deep understanding of AI from a technical perspective, while also fostering their awareness of the ethics of this new technology, enhancing their understanding of its data, algorithms, applications, risks, and its connection to society and life,' he added in a post on X on May 4. Meanwhile in Indonesia, AI and coding will reportedly be introduced as elective subjects for public schools in the country starting this year. Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti said in a June 12 report that more than 50,000 schools are prepared to roll out the new subjects. He added that teachers have undergone training to deliver these subjects and the initiative is supported by academic guidelines and defined learning outcomes for students. In China, AI courses and teaching methods will be introduced into the primary and secondary school curriculum starting September. Channel News Asia cited a statement by Chinese education authorities that schools must provide at least eight hours of AI education in a year, either as standalone courses or as part of existing curriculum, such as in IT or science classes. The authorities also said that schools will incorporate AI into after-school activities, club activities and research. A Xinhua report further stated that primary school students will be introduced to AI concepts before advancing to the application of AI in learning and daily life at junior high school level. At the senior high school level, practical courses will be offered to enhance their understanding of AI application and innovation. In a separate statement, China's Ministry of Education announced the launch of a specialised AI training session for middle and primary school principals and education officials across the country. Education Minister Huai Jinpeng said there is a need to embrace AI as a 'transformative force' in education and harness its potential in enhancing the quality and accessibility of learning. He also highlighted the need to promote the use of digital platforms for AI-enabled educational development while ensuring the ethical and safe use of AI, particularly among younger students. Meanwhile, Estonia has announced that 20,000 high school students will have free access to AI-learning tools from September as part of the country's AI Leap initiative. The government has begun talks with OpenAI and Anthropic to widen the access of AI tools for students in the country. The Financial Times reported that the government is also looking into providing free laptops for students as a possible measure to address the digital divide. Education Minister Kristina Kallas said with generative AI models advancing in capabilities, exercises such as writing essays have become unnecessary. Instead, she said the focus of an AI education should be on helping students to develop critical thinking skills and evaluating the outputs of AI models. Not wanting to be left out, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 23 to look into measures focusing on bringing AI into the K-12 schools – kindergarten, primary and secondary levels – to teach foundational AI literacy and critical thinking skills. The order establishes the White House Task Force on AI Education which aims to develop a 'Presidential AI Challenge' to highlight and encourage the use of AI in the classroom. It will also be responsible for creating partnerships to provide AI education resources in schools. USA Today reported that Trump said the executive order is a big deal because 'AI seems to be where it's at' before he signed the order in the Oval Office. It also stated that the order comes as US politicians have expressed concerns over American students falling behind other nations, particularly China as technology advances and becomes a major component of the workforce. Interestingly, a separate USA Today report noted that Trump-appointed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has mistakenly confused AI with A1, a popular steak sauce brand in the US. While speaking at a summit on April 8, McMahon said first graders should have access to 'A1 teaching'. Limits of technology However, experts have also urged for a more careful approach to AI in education. The Association of Internet-of-Things Malaysia treasurer Pathmanathan Muniandy told Bernama that the subject of artificial intelligence at the primary school level should be introduced in a measured and systematic manner so as not to risk becoming a burden on the existing academic syllabus. 'If AI is introduced too early without proper guidance, it may lead to wastage and over-reliance. When used effectively, AI can inspire creativity and innovation at a young age,' he said. He added there is no need to create a new syllabus just on AI when it could be integrated into existing subjects like Maths and Science. 'AI education can be incorporated by focusing on safe usage, ethics and understanding both the capabilities and limitations of this technology,' he said. Similarly, digital transformation researcher at Gadjah Mada University Iradat Wirid told Kompas that the Indonesian government shouldn't rush into new AI-driven education initiatives just to appear on trend. Instead, he said that students should first be equipped with logic, ethics and digital literacy skills. He is also concerned about AI becoming tools that allow people to settle into complacency. 'Children must be encouraged to question, critique, and understand the impacts of technology,' he added.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
ECB holds fire amid Trump's tariff threat
FRANKFURT: The European Central Bank is likely to stare down the economic danger posed by US President Donald Trump's tariffs by opting to leave a potential cut in borrowing costs for another day. In their final decision before a seven-week summer break, policymakers on Thursday will probably keep the interest rate unchanged at 2%, pushing off a response to Trump's threatened tariffs of 30% until they materialise and their impact can be better assessed. With many officials likely to use the interlude for a long holiday, the temptation to restate that inflation is at target and to postpone worrying about the economic outlook until new quarterly forecasts are compiled for the Sept 10 to 11 meeting may seem appropriate. What policymakers do know, however, is that trouble is lurking. Aside from concerns about tariffs, the euro has strengthened, damping the outlook for prices and threatening to further squeeze exporters. Meanwhile, another political crisis in France may be brewing over its bloated public finances. Given that backdrop, the ECB Governing Council could acknowledge among themselves that the chance of another rate cut in September is growing, even if they stick with their well-worn 'meeting-by-meeting' approach to decision-making. In that vein, president Christine Lagarde, in her opening statement to reporters this Thursday, is likely to restate that risks to growth are 'tilted to the downside', Morgan Stanley economists wrote in a preview titled 'Ready for the Beach.' Bloomberg Economics senior euro-area economist David Powell said, 'We expect the Governing Council's language after the July 24 meeting to be similar to the wording in June, leaving open the possibility of additional cuts without committing to them.' Economic reports in the coming week will inform their deliberations. They include the ECB's own bank lending survey, due tomorrow; consumer confidence on Wednesday; and purchasing manager indexes from across the region and other major economies, set for release on Thursday, hours before the outcome of the ECB deliberations. Other key indicators, such as Germany's closely watched income from operations business confidence and Italian economic sentiment, will follow on Friday. Elsewhere, inflation numbers from Japan to Brazil and testimony by the UK central bank chief are among the things in store for investors. The US economic data calendar is relatively light and highlighted by a pair of housing market reports. On Wednesday, June data from the National Association of Realtors are projected to show a third month of scant change in sales of previously owned homes. Contract closings have been hovering near an annualised rate of four million, just above last year's level, which was the weakest since 2010. Meanwhile, economists expect a government report on Thursday to show new-home sales recovered a bit in June after posting the biggest monthly decline since 2022. The pace of contract signings on new houses has largely trended sideways for the better part of two years. The housing market has struggled to gain traction as elevated mortgage interest rates and affordability constraints keep many potential buyers sidelined. Other reports include Friday's release of June durable goods orders, preceded by S&P Global's July manufacturing and services surveys on Thursday. Fed policymakers are in a blackout period ahead of their July 29 to 30 meeting, although chair Jerome Powell tomorrow gives welcoming remarks at a conference focused on capital frameworks for large banks. Further north, the Bank of Canada's business and consumer surveys for the second quarter will offer fresh insight into inflation expectations and investment plans. Retail data for May and a flash estimate for June are likely to show slumping sales as consumers pull back after a tariff-driven rush to buy cars earlier in the year. Two fiscal monitors from the federal government may contain more details about retaliatory tariff revenues collected to date. Asia's data docket offers a broad cross-section of economic signals, from trade in South Korea to inflation indicators in Japan, Singapore and New Zealand. The figures will help clarify how the region's economies are responding to trade-related uncertainties. South Korea opens the week today with 20-day trade data, an early indicator for July exports. Next follows consumer confidence on Wednesday and retail sales during the week, offering a read on household conditions after the Bank of Korea held rates steady this month. Also on today, China will release loan prime rates, which are expected to be kept steady for a second month in July, taking a cue from the People's Bank of China. Australia takes the spotlight tomorrowwith minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) July policy meeting, at which it shocked investors by keeping rates on hold at 3.85%. The minutes may offer a clearer sense of how close policymakers are to resuming their easing cycle. RBA governor Michele Bullock gives a speech on Thursday. Tomorrow, Taiwan is set to publish export orders for June, along with employment data. India's July purchasing managers' index (PMI), due Thursday, will indicate the resilience of both manufacturing and services activity. Japan closes out the week on Friday with a full slate of data, including Tokyo consumer price index, department store sales and factory activity. The inflation reading will offer an early steer on national price trends, while the other releases will help assess how well domestic demand and production are holding up. New Zealand reports second-quarter inflation today, while Singapore publishes its price gauges on Wednesday and industrial production data on Friday. Thailand has car sales and customs trade balance figures during the week. The United Kingdom will release public finance data tomorrow at a time when its economic woes and fiscal position are very much in focus. With unemployment at a four-year high and growth faltering, PMI numbers on Thursday and retail sales on Friday may also draw attention. Britain's exposure to market stress may be a topic when Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey and colleagues testify on financial stability to lawmakers tomorrow. — Bloomberg
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Trump and Xi may meet before or during October APEC summit in South Korea
SEOUL: U.S. President Donald Trump may visit China before attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in October or meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the event in South Korea, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. The two leaders could discuss ongoing trade disputes, as both nations attempt to negotiate an end to escalating tariffs that have disrupted global supply chains. Trump has pushed for higher tariffs on imports, including a 55% rate on Chinese goods, arguing it will boost domestic manufacturing. Critics, however, warn this could raise prices for American consumers. A deadline of August 12 has been set for the U.S. and China to reach a long-term trade agreement. A Trump spokesperson did not comment on the reported meeting plans. The most recent high-level talks between the two countries occurred on July 11, when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held discussions in Malaysia. Rubio confirmed that Trump had received an invitation to visit China, stating both leaders 'want it to happen.' Meanwhile, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao emphasized the need to stabilize trade relations, suggesting recent talks in Europe indicated a tariff war was unnecessary. - Reuters
