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Nvidia CEO Tells Carnegie Mellon Graduates AI Infrastructure Will Increase Demand for Trades Workers
Jensen Huang delivered the commencement address to Carnegie Mellon University’s class of 2026, urging electricians, plumbers and builders to seize the AI-driven industrial era. Capital expenditure from the largest U.S. tech firms could reach $700 billion this year while global data center investment may hit nearly $7 trillion by decade’s end.
May 11, 1:06 PM·1m read2 sources
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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivered the commencement address to Carnegie Mellon University’s class of 2026 on Sunday, telling graduates that artificial intelligence is creating the largest technology infrastructure buildout in human history. “AI gives America the opportunity to build again. Electricians, plumbers, iron workers, technicians, builders—this is your time,” Huang said.
To support AI, America will build chip factories, computer factories, data centers, and advanced manufacturing facilities across the country, he said. Capital expenditure from the country’s largest tech firms could add up to some $700 billion this year, largely to construct the physical infrastructure required for AI.
Globally, the data center boom could generate almost $7 trillion in investment by the end of the decade according to a McKinsey report published last year.
Demand for skilled trades has soared 27% over the past three years according to a March analysis by Randstad. Demand for construction workers is up 30%, welders 25%, and electricians 18% over the same period, the staffing firm found. ” He also offered a direct warning about the competitive landscape: “AI is not likely to replace you.
The 61-year-old graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in electrical engineering in 1984. He earned a master's in electrical engineering from Stanford and launched Nvidia in 1993. Huang has an estimated net worth of nearly $186 billion.
Despite the optimistic outlook for trades tied to AI, data center construction slowed last year for the first time since 2020. Nonresidential construction spending has been mostly flat since 2024 according to the Associated Builders and Contractors.
