Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, the leader of the world’s most valuable AI chip company, has revealed that despite his “cool guy” reputation in Silicon Valley, he still struggles with public speaking anxiety. In a “60 Minutes” interview that aired on December 29, Huang opened up about his nervousness when addressing large crowds, particularly recalling his experience at last year’s GTC AI Conference.
“I’m an engineer, not a performer. When I walked out there, and all of the people going crazy, it took the breath out of me,” Huang admitted after delivering his keynote speech. “I’m still scared.” This confession comes from a man who leads a company valued at over $3 trillion and has become synonymous with the AI revolution through Nvidia’s dominance in GPU technology that powers artificial intelligence systems worldwide.
Huang’s signature black leather jacket and his company’s meteoric success in the booming AI field have earned him celebrity status in the tech world. However, his admission highlights that even the most successful tech leaders face personal challenges. Huang will confront these nerves again when he presents a keynote speech at CES in Las Vegas on Monday, one of the tech industry’s most prominent stages.
The article reveals that Huang is far from alone among tech titans. Steve Jobs, the legendary Apple cofounder known for his iconic product launches, appeared effortless on stage but actually spent months planning presentations and entire days rehearsing them, according to the 2015 book “Becoming Steve Jobs” by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli. Bill Gates admitted he could never achieve Jobs’ level of appearing unrehearsed while being meticulously prepared.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared on Threads that when he founded Facebook as a teenager, he “didn’t know anything about running a company, communicating publicly, etc.” Now 40, Zuckerberg says age and experience have made him more comfortable being himself in public. Elon Musk, despite being one of the most outspoken voices in 2024 and posting almost daily on X (formerly Twitter), tweeted in 2019: “I’m such a bad public speaker! Damn.”
Even Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO, once said his fear of public speaking could have been “detrimental to his career.” Buffett enrolled in a public speaking course after graduating from business school in 1951, which he still credits with changing his life decades later.
Key Quotes
I’m an engineer, not a performer. When I walked out there, and all of the people going crazy, it took the breath out of me. I’m still scared.
Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s CEO, revealed this in his “60 Minutes” interview after reflecting on his keynote at last year’s GTC AI Conference. This admission is particularly striking given that Huang leads a $3 trillion company at the forefront of the AI revolution and regularly presents to massive audiences.
I’ll never achieve that level.
Bill Gates said this about Steve Jobs’ public speaking abilities on the Armchair Expert podcast, referring to Jobs’ talent for appearing unrehearsed on stage. This quote illustrates how even tech giants admire and struggle to match each other’s communication skills, despite Jobs’ presentations being meticulously planned months in advance.
I had been terrified of public speaking. I couldn’t do it.
Warren Buffett admitted this in the 2017 documentary “Becoming Warren Buffett,” explaining that his fear could have been detrimental to his career. He overcame this by enrolling in a public speaking course after business school in 1951, which he credits with changing his life—demonstrating that these skills can be learned.
I’m such a bad public speaker! Damn.
Elon Musk tweeted this in 2019, despite being one of the most visible and outspoken tech leaders. This admission is notable given Musk’s frequent public appearances and his near-daily posting on X (formerly Twitter), showing that even prolific communicators struggle with formal public speaking.
Our Take
Huang’s admission is particularly significant in the context of Nvidia’s unprecedented rise as the backbone of AI infrastructure. As the company’s GPUs power the generative AI boom, Huang has become the face of this technological revolution, making his communication skills critical to maintaining investor confidence and public understanding of AI’s trajectory. His vulnerability in admitting ongoing anxiety humanizes the AI industry’s leadership at a time when public trust in AI technology is crucial. The comparison to other tech legends like Jobs, Musk, and Buffett reveals a universal truth: technical expertise and business acumen don’t automatically confer communication mastery. As AI becomes increasingly central to business and society, the ability of leaders like Huang to effectively communicate complex concepts to non-technical audiences will be as important as the technology itself. His willingness to acknowledge this struggle may actually strengthen his credibility and relatability.
Why This Matters
This story matters because it humanizes the leaders driving the AI revolution and reveals the personal challenges behind their public success. As Nvidia continues to dominate the AI chip market with its GPUs powering everything from ChatGPT to autonomous vehicles, Huang’s visibility and communication skills become increasingly important for the company’s brand and investor confidence.
The revelation also highlights a broader trend in the tech industry: technical brilliance doesn’t automatically translate to public communication skills. As AI companies compete for talent, funding, and public trust, the ability of their leaders to effectively communicate complex AI concepts to diverse audiences becomes crucial. Huang’s upcoming CES keynote will be closely watched by investors, competitors, and the media as Nvidia navigates intense competition in the AI chip space.
Moreover, this story resonates with the broader business community as AI executives increasingly become public figures who must explain their technology’s implications to regulators, customers, and society. The fact that even the most successful leaders struggle with public speaking offers encouragement to aspiring entrepreneurs and reminds us that leadership skills can be developed over time, as Buffett’s example demonstrates.
Recommended Reading
For those interested in learning more about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and effective AI communication, here are some excellent resources: