Nvidia’s, NVDA, CEO Jensen Huang has said that electricians and plumbers will be needed by the hundreds of thousands in the new working world

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says the future of work will not be defined solely by software engineers or artificial intelligence researchers, but also by people with hands-on technical skills. Speaking about the impact of AI on the labor market, Huang emphasized that despite rapid automation and digital transformation, demand for skilled trade workers is poised to surge. According to Huang, society will increasingly rely on people capable of building and maintaining the physical infrastructure needed for the next wave of technological expansion.

As industries race to deploy data centers, expand electric vehicle charging networks, and modernize power grids, the need for specialized labor is accelerating. Huang noted that constructing the backbone of computing power — from server warehouses to advanced cooling systems — requires workers who understand electrical systems, plumbing, and mechanical installation. These roles cannot be replaced by AI because they involve real-world problem-solving and work that must be done on-site.

Huang summarized the shift in blunt terms: “Electricians and plumbers will be needed by the hundreds of thousands.” His comment reflects a growing view among economists that while AI may automate portions of white-collar work, jobs in skilled trades could become some of the most secure and sought-after positions in the economy. Ironically, the technological revolution which people feared would eliminate jobs may instead elevate professions traditionally undervalued in the modern workforce.

Industry groups and training programs are already reporting talent shortages. Many electricians and plumbers in the U.S. are nearing retirement age, and apprenticeships are not keeping pace with demand. If Huang’s prediction proves correct, the next major labor boom may come not from coding academies, but from trade schools — and the workers powering the physical infrastructure behind the digital world.