Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivered an optimistic message about AI’s impact on employment at the World Economic Forum in Davos, declaring it a “great time to be a tradesperson” as the artificial intelligence revolution drives unprecedented demand for manual labor. Speaking with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink on Wednesday, Huang characterized the current AI expansion as the “largest infrastructure buildout in human history” that is creating substantial job opportunities for plumbers, electricians, construction workers, and steelworkers.
The Nvidia chief executive’s comments directly address growing concerns about AI-driven job displacement, a topic that has dominated discussions at this year’s Davos gathering. Huang has consistently maintained that AI won’t be the mass job killer many fear, pointing to radiology as a case study where automation of certain tasks has actually coincided with increased employment in the field rather than job losses.
According to Huang, the United States is experiencing a “significant boom” in demand for manual labor positions related to building AI infrastructure, including chip factories, computer factories, and AI data centers. The compensation for these roles has become increasingly attractive, with salaries nearly doubling in some cases and reaching six-figure levels. “We’re talking about six-figure salaries for people who are building chip factories or computer factories or AI factories, and we have a great shortage in that,” Huang explained.
The Nvidia CEO emphasized the democratization of economic opportunity, stating that “everybody should be able to make a great living” and that workers “don’t need to have a Ph.D. in computer science” to benefit from the AI boom. This perspective aligns with views from AI “Godfather” Geoffrey Hinton, who has previously suggested that manual labor jobs are relatively safer from AI disruption, though for different reasons—Hinton believes it will take considerably longer for AI systems to develop the physical dexterity required for hands-on work.
The infrastructure demands of AI are substantial, requiring massive data centers with sophisticated cooling systems, power distribution, and physical construction—all necessitating skilled tradespeople to bring these facilities online.
Key Quotes
It’s wonderful that the jobs are related to tradecraft and we’re going to have plumbers and electricians and construction and steelworkers.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made this statement at the World Economic Forum in Davos while discussing the employment opportunities created by AI infrastructure development, emphasizing the value of skilled trades in the AI era.
It’s the largest infrastructure buildout in human history.
Huang used this dramatic characterization to describe the scale of the AI boom’s physical infrastructure requirements, underscoring why the demand for construction and trade workers is so significant.
We’re talking about six-figure salaries for people who are building chip factories or computer factories or AI factories, and we have a great shortage in that.
The Nvidia CEO highlighted the lucrative compensation packages now available for tradespeople working on AI infrastructure projects, while also acknowledging the labor shortage constraining the industry’s growth.
Everybody should be able to make a great living. You don’t need to have a Ph.D. in computer science to do so.
Huang emphasized the democratization of economic opportunity in the AI era, arguing that the technology boom is creating pathways to prosperity beyond traditional tech careers requiring advanced degrees.
Our Take
Huang’s perspective offers a refreshing and pragmatic view of AI’s labor market impact that challenges apocalyptic narratives. However, it’s worth noting that this job creation is likely temporary or cyclical—once AI infrastructure is built, ongoing maintenance requires fewer workers than construction. The real test will be whether the AI economy creates sustained demand for diverse skill sets or merely a construction boom followed by consolidation.
Moreover, while six-figure salaries sound impressive, we should consider regional variations and cost of living near data center locations. The skills shortage Huang describes also raises questions about whether training programs can scale quickly enough to meet demand, and whether companies will invest in workforce development or simply compete for existing talent, driving up costs without expanding the labor pool. This situation exemplifies how AI’s second-order effects—the physical infrastructure needs—may be as economically significant as the technology itself.
Why This Matters
This story represents a significant counternarrative to the dominant discourse around AI and employment displacement. While much attention focuses on white-collar jobs potentially at risk from generative AI and automation, Huang’s comments highlight an often-overlooked consequence: the massive physical infrastructure requirements of AI are creating substantial blue-collar job opportunities with competitive compensation.
The implications extend beyond individual employment prospects. The AI infrastructure boom could help address income inequality concerns by providing high-paying opportunities for workers without advanced degrees, potentially revitalizing skilled trades that have faced workforce shortages. For policymakers and educators, this signals the importance of investing in vocational training and trade programs alongside technology education.
From an industry perspective, the labor shortage Huang describes could become a bottleneck for AI development if not addressed. Companies racing to build AI capabilities may find their ambitions constrained not by technology or capital, but by the availability of skilled tradespeople. This dynamic could reshape workforce development priorities and immigration policies in countries competing for AI leadership, making construction and trade skills unexpectedly strategic in the global AI race.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-jensen-huang-plumber-construction-jobs-ai-data-center-2026-1