Nvidia co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang pushed back on warnings from AI researchers that the technology could wipe out humanity within a few years. He called the claims "doomsday narratives" in an interview with CBS News on Friday.
Huang said predictions of an AI-driven extinction event by 2030 are not based in science. "There is 0% chance that's going to be the end of the world," he said.
His comments came after former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon claimed on social media that AI developers believe the technology could kill everyone by the end of the decade. The remarks sparked public debate and led some industry leaders to call for a slowdown in AI development.
Nvidia holds a large stake in this debate. Its chips power the large language models used by AI systems from OpenAI and other companies. Demand for those chips has pushed Nvidia's market value to $5.3 trillion, making it the most valuable company in the world.
Asked why the public should trust him given his company's financial interests, Huang said Nvidia's success depends on safe AI deployment. He said the company's value would suffer if products were not built responsibly.
No Rules Needed, Huang Says
Recent security incidents have added pressure for AI regulation. In July, OpenAI bots reportedly hacked the AI company Hugging Face. OpenAI also disclosed six more incidents this week that it called unexpected or concerning.
Despite this, Huang said new AI regulations are not needed. He pointed to existing laws covering product liability and unauthorized access as sufficient protection.
He said doomsday warnings should not be used to excuse companies from laws already on the books.
Huang also addressed the U.S.-China tech rivalry. The federal government currently restricts Nvidia from selling its most advanced chips to China, though it allowed sales of H200 chips to approved buyers last December.
Huang said American technology should benefit the U.S. first, but he disagrees with outright bans on selling U.S. tech abroad. He said he wants to discuss global AI standards with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a White House dinner on September 24.
Data Centers and Taxes
Huang also responded to public concern over data center construction across the U.S. He admitted the industry could have done a better job engaging local communities early on.
He said newer data centers use less water and energy than earlier versions. He added that they also support local job growth.
On the topic of wealth, Huang addressed California's proposed billionaire tax, which would place a one-time 5% tax on residents worth over $1 billion. Huang's net worth is estimated at $182 billion.
Unlike other California billionaires who oppose the measure, Huang said he would welcome paying more. He called it a privilege rather than a burden.
Huang said he once worked as a dishwasher before founding Nvidia and described his path as an example of American opportunity.
