Nvidia CEO urges new social norms as AI reshapes economy

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said society will have to develop new social norms and regulatory standards as artificial intelligence becomes more pervasive. Speaking in Sherman, Texas, Huang argued that AI can accelerate economic growth, scientific discovery and everyday tasks such as website creation or home-renovation planning, but it also raises concerns about job displacement and national-security risks.

“We need to create new social norms. I would advocate that everybody use AI. Just go engage it,” Huang told the Associated Press.

He likened the adjustment to the historical shift brought by automobiles, noting that safety measures like sidewalks and crosswalks eventually allowed cars to coexist with pedestrians. Huang called for clear government guidance on export controls and safety standards, emphasizing that any restrictions should be narrowly targeted to specific risks.

The CEO also warned that the United States faces a bottleneck in energy supply, which could limit the expansion of power-hungry data centers that support AI workloads. He praised recent policies aimed at increasing domestic oil, coal and natural-gas production, while noting that the country lags behind in overall energy output.

When asked about proposals for government ownership of AI firms, Huang expressed skepticism, saying the success of American AI companies already benefits investors, generates tax revenue and creates jobs. He highlighted that AI advancements can also boost profitability for sectors such as energy, construction and hardware manufacturing.

Huang’s remarks came amid ongoing political debate over AI regulation, with the Trump administration recently tightening export controls on certain AI models and the Biden administration previously opposing restrictions on chip sales to China.