Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says artificial intelligence could lead people to lose some basic cognitive skills but argued that new abilities would emerge as AI takes over more routine tasks.
Huang made the comments in an interview with economist and New York Times columnist Ezra Klein, who cited a Chinese study examining the effects of AI use on students.
The study tracked about 26,000 students who began using AI at different times, allowing researchers to compare students who adopted the technology earlier with those who did not. Klein said students using AI were able to complete schoolwork faster, but the research also found evidence that some cognitive skills used to complete schoolwork declined, with lower exam scores over the longer term.
Huang acknowledged that students’ basic cognitive abilities could be deteriorating.
“Try to get a kid to do long division right now. The multiplication table is starting to be forgotten. Doing square roots, my goodness,” Huang said. “Basic math is being forgotten. Does it matter?”
“That’s my question for you,” Klein replied.
“Yeah. I don’t think it does. I don’t think it does,” Huang said in response. “We’re going to discover new [skills],” the CEO continued, “just maybe not those.”
Huang said some skills could become less important as AI systems take over routine cognitive tasks.
“There are a lot of skills that don’t matter,” he said. “My first confession, I actually don’t know my address… one day I had to pump gas — it was a few years ago. They needed my ZIP code, and I panicked. I didn’t know my ZIP code. I don’t know my telephone number. I forget these things. I can live with it.”
Huang said people could lose some intellectual abilities while becoming better at broader problem-solving.
“We’re going to lose some finer intellectual dexterity, but we’re going to be better systems thinkers,” he said.
The comments come as educators and technology researchers debate the effects of generative AI on learning and critical thinking. The rapid adoption of chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT has raised questions about whether students are using AI as a tool to support learning or as a substitute for developing skills themselves.
Huang has previously argued that AI developers should take responsibility for testing their products before releasing them. Last week, he said that companies should continue testing and engineering AI systems until they are ready for release rather than relying on government regulation to determine their safety.
Nvidia, whose chips are widely used to train and run AI models, has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure spending.
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Faustine Ngila is the AI Editor at Impact Newswire, based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is an award-winning journalist specializing in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and emerging technologies.
He previously worked as a global technology reporter at Quartz in New York and Digital Frontier in London, where he covered innovation, startups, and the global digital economy.
With years of experience reporting on cutting-edge technologies, Faustine focuses on AI developments, industry trends, and the impact of technology on society.
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