Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and the $2 trillion company powering today's AI | 60 Minutes

Summary

Nvidia, a company once focused on enhancing video game graphics, has transformed into a leader in AI technology, with its GPUs driving advancements in various fields. CEO Jensen Huang's vision has propelled Nvidia to a $2 trillion valuation, highlighting its pivotal role in AI's new industrial revolution. The company's technology is now integral to drug discovery, creating digital twins for weather prediction, and developing robots for labor shortages, promising a future of AI-driven progress and prosperity.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Nvidia, founded in 1993, has transformed from a company focused on improving video game graphics to a leader in 21st-century AI technology.
• 📈 The company's stock market value surged from $1 trillion to $2 trillion in just eight months, driven by the demand for its cutting-edge technology.
• 🤖 Nvidia's annual developers conference showcased AI advancements, including Jensen Huang's unveiling of the new Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Blackwell.
• 🧠 Nvidia's GPUs are the engine behind AI computers, capable of processing quadrillions of calculations per second, which is crucial for AI's rapid information absorption.
• 🛠️ AI is being used in various fields, such as drug discovery, material design, and space exploration, to solve complex problems that were previously intractable.
• 🎥 Cubric, a company co-founded by Pinar Sezer DeMera, uses Nvidia's GPUs to create virtual movie sets from simple text prompts in real-time.
• 💊 Generate Biomedicines is leveraging Nvidia's technology to develop protein-based drugs, with AI models creating new proteins to combat diseases like cancer and asthma.
• 🤖 Figure, a Silicon Valley startup, has developed a robot prototype with Nvidia's GPU technology that can perform tasks and understand requests, like handing over an orange.
• 🏭 BMW plans to test Figure's robot in its South Carolina factory, reflecting the potential for AI and robotics to revolutionize industries and address labor shortages.
• 💼 Jensen Huang believes that AI and robotics will augment human capabilities rather than replace jobs, as increased productivity typically leads to more hiring.
• 🔮 Despite concerns about AI's risks to humanity, Huang envisions a future where AI contributes to progress and prosperity without machines dominating over humans.

Q & A

Which four companies are currently worth more than $2 trillion?

Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet (parent company of Google), and Nvidia.

How did Nvidia's stock market value increase from $1 trillion to $2 trillion within a year?

Nvidia's stock market value surged due to the insatiable demand for its cutting-edge technology, particularly its hardware and software that enable today's artificial intelligence.

What was the initial focus of Nvidia when it was founded in 1993?

Nvidia was initially founded to improve video game graphics.

Who is Jensen Huang and what is his role at Nvidia?

Jensen Huang is the 61-year-old co-founder and CEO of Nvidia.

What was the significance of Nvidia's annual developers conference held in March?

The conference was a gathering of over 11,000 enthusiasts, developers, tech moguls, and shareholders to celebrate and explore the advancements in AI and technology powered by Nvidia.

What is a GPU and why is it significant for AI?

A GPU, or Graphics Processing Unit, is a single chip capable of processing numerous calculations simultaneously, unlike more standard chips. It serves as the engine of Nvidia's AI computer, enabling rapid absorption and processing of vast amounts of information.

What is the Blackwell chip and why is it important?

The Blackwell chip is Nvidia's latest GPU, designed in America and made in Taiwan. It is considered the fastest chip ever and is expected to be a game-changer for the industry, particularly for AI applications.

How is Nvidia's AI technology being used in drug discovery and development?

Nvidia's technology is enabling AI models to create new proteins to fight specific diseases like cancer and asthma. The AI models are being used to generate completely new protein structures that have not existed before.

What is the potential impact of AI and robotics on the workforce according to Jensen Huang?

Jensen Huang believes that AI and robotics will take on more tasks that humans can do, but better. He also suggests that as companies become more productive and earnings increase, they will likely hire more people, rather than reducing the workforce.

What is a digital twin and how is Nvidia using it?

A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical entity. Nvidia is using digital twins to calculate and predict weather patterns 3,000 times faster and with a thousand times less energy than a supercomputer.

What is the historical significance of the Denny's restaurant in San Jose for Nvidia?

The Denny's in San Jose is where Jensen Huang and his co-founders decided to start Nvidia. It represents the humble beginnings of a company that has since become a titan in the tech industry.

What ethical concerns have been raised regarding AI, and how does Jensen Huang respond to them?

Some top AI scientists and ethicists have raised concerns about AI's risks to humanity, including the potential for AI to become uncontrollable. Jensen Huang acknowledges these concerns but believes that humanity will have the choice to see themselves as superior to machines, emphasizing the importance of human qualities like love, creativity, and transcendence.

Outlines

00:00

💹 Nvidia's Rise to AI Titan

This paragraph introduces the remarkable growth of Nvidia, one of the four companies globally valued over $2 trillion, alongside Microsoft, Apple, and Alphabet. It highlights the company's rapid increase in stock market value from $1 trillion to $2 trillion in just eight months, driven by the high demand for its advanced technology that powers today's artificial intelligence. The script takes us to Silicon Valley to meet Jensen Huang, Nvidia's 61-year-old co-founder and CEO, who believes AI is poised to revolutionize everything. The narrative sets the stage for Nvidia's annual developers conference, where Huang unveils the company's latest GPU, Blackwell, and discusses its role in the AI revolution, emphasizing the chip's ability to perform quadrillions of calculations per second.

05:03

🚀 AI's Transformative Impact Across Industries

The second paragraph delves into the transformative applications of AI, as demonstrated at Nvidia's GTC convention. It showcases AI's capabilities in various fields, such as creating digital twins for weather prediction, enhancing drug discovery with protein-based drugs, and developing new materials. The script introduces figures like Pinar Sen, who uses Nvidia's GPUs for real-time virtual movie set creation, and Dr. Alex Snider, pioneering the use of AI in drug development with de novo protein structures. Additionally, it discusses the potential of AI and robotics in labor shortages, with Brett Adcock's company Figure demonstrating an AI-driven prototype robot capable of reasoning and performing tasks, with plans for BMW to test it in their factories.

10:04

🌟 Nvidia's Journey and the Future of AI

The final paragraph reflects on Nvidia's humble beginnings and its evolution into a leader in AI technology. It recounts Jensen Huang's personal journey from a dishwasher to a Silicon Valley celebrity and the company's early struggles and eventual success with its groundbreaking GPU. The narrative highlights the company's strategic pivot to developing AI supercomputers, which positioned it at the forefront of the AI revolution. The script also addresses the ethical considerations and potential risks of AI, as voiced by a group of scientists and ethicists, and concludes with Jensen Huang's optimistic vision of AI contributing to progress and prosperity without supplanting human intelligence and creativity.

Keywords

💡AI

AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the video, AI is portrayed as a transformative force that is revolutionizing various industries, from gaming to drug discovery and robotics, underscoring its central role in the narrative.

💡Nvidia

Nvidia is a leading technology company renowned for its graphics processing units (GPUs) and its pivotal role in the advancement of AI. The video highlights how Nvidia's GPUs have become the engine of AI, enabling rapid data processing and complex calculations, which is exemplified by the company's market value soaring to $2 trillion.

💡GPU

A GPU, or graphics processing unit, is a specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display. The video emphasizes the significance of GPUs in AI, with Nvidia's GPUs being the cornerstone of their AI capabilities, allowing for the processing of numerous calculations simultaneously.

💡Artificial Intelligence Revolution

The term 'Artificial Intelligence Revolution' encapsulates the transformative impact AI is having on society and industry. The video discusses this revolution in the context of Nvidia's technology, suggesting a new era where AI is integral to innovation and productivity across various sectors.

💡Blackwell

Blackwell is the codename for a new Graphics Processing Unit designed by Nvidia. The video mentions it as the fastest chip ever, indicating a significant leap in technology that will further propel AI capabilities, particularly in the context of Google gearing up for its use.

💡Digital Twin

A digital twin is a virtual model of a physical object or system. In the video, a digital twin of the Earth is showcased, which, once it learns to calculate weather, can predict it 3,000 times faster and with a thousand times less energy than a supercomputer, demonstrating the power of AI in complex simulations.

💡Cubric

Cubric is an AI application company mentioned in the video, which uses Nvidia's GPUs to create virtual movie sets from simple text prompts in real time. This showcases the creative potential of AI in the entertainment industry and its ability to generate content at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.

💡Protein-based Drugs

The script discusses the use of AI in designing protein-based drugs, which involves creating new protein structures to combat diseases like cancer and asthma. This highlights AI's role in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, pushing the boundaries of drug discovery and development.

💡De Novo

De novo, in the context of the video, refers to the creation of completely new protein structures that have not existed before, generated through AI. This term signifies the innovative potential of AI in creating novel solutions in fields like medicine and biology.

💡Figure One

Figure One is an Nvidia GPU-driven prototype robot featured in the video. It demonstrates the application of AI in creating robots capable of understanding and performing tasks, such as selecting a healthy snack, which reflects the evolving capabilities of AI in physical labor and decision-making.

💡Ethical Concerns of AI

The video touches on the ethical concerns surrounding AI, with a mention of a statement signed by top AI scientists and ethicists urging caution about the risks AI poses to humanity. This highlights the need for responsible development and deployment of AI technologies, ensuring they benefit society without causing harm.

Highlights

Nvidia's market value surged from $1 trillion to $2 trillion in just eight months, driven by demand for its AI technology.

The company was founded in 1993 to improve video game graphics and has since become a leader in 21st-century AI.

Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, believes AI is on the verge of transforming every aspect of life and industry.

Nvidia's annual developers conference showcased AI advancements and the unveiling of the new GPU, Blackwell.

Blackwell, Nvidia's latest GPU, is capable of processing calculations at an unprecedented speed, enabling AI to handle vast amounts of data.

AI applications powered by Nvidia's technology are being used in various fields, including drug discovery and materials science.

Cubric, a company co-founded by Pinar Senmer, uses Nvidia's GPUs to create virtual movie sets from text prompts in real-time.

Generate Biomedicines is leveraging Nvidia's AI technology to develop protein-based drugs for diseases like cancer and asthma.

Figure, a Silicon Valley startup, has developed a robot prototype with Nvidia's GPU that can assist with tasks and make decisions.

Jensen Huang's vision for AI includes a future with billions of robots working alongside humans, increasing productivity.

Nvidia's technology is integral to the development of AI, with Huang emphasizing its role in creating new opportunities rather than replacing jobs.

The story of Nvidia began at a Denny's in San Jose, where the founders decided to start the company focused on video game graphics.

Nvidia's initial product nearly bankrupted the company, but a pivot to GPUs revolutionized computer graphics and saved Nvidia.

Jensen Huang's leadership and vision have transformed Nvidia from a struggling startup to a major player in the AI industry.

Nvidia's AI supercomputer was the first of its kind and played a crucial role in the development of AI technologies like chat GPT.

The rise of AI has sparked both excitement and concern, with some fearing the potential risks to humanity.

Jensen Huang emphasizes the importance of human judgment and creativity, asserting that AI is a tool to enhance human capabilities.

The transcript highlights the transformative impact of Nvidia's AI technology across various industries and its potential for future growth.

Transcripts

only four companies in the world are

worth more than $2 trillion doar

Microsoft Apple alphabet parent company

of Google and computer chip maker Nvidia

the California based company saw its

stock market value sore from 1 trillion

to $2 trillion in just eight months this

past year fueled by the insatiable

demand for its cuttingedge technology

the hardware and software that make

today's artificial intelligence

possible we wondered how a company

founded in 1993 to improve video game

Graphics turned into a Titan of 21st

century AI so we went to Silicon Valley

to meet nvidia's 61-year-old co-founder

and CEO Jensen hang who has no doubt AI

is about to change

everything the story will continue in a

moment

[Music]

at nvidia's annual developers conference

this past March the mood wasn't just

upbeat it was downright giddy more than

11,000 enthusiasts software developers

Tech Mogul and happy shareholders filed

into San Jose's Pro Hockey Arena to kick

off a 4-day AI extrav

aganza they came to see this man Jensen

hang CEO of Nvidia welcome to

GTC what was that like for you to walk

out on that stage and see that you know

Bill 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 and so that was the scariest

I've ever been I'm still

scared you'd never know it in his

signature cool black outfit Jensen

shared the stage with Nvidia powered

robots let me finish up real quick and

shared his vision of an AI future a new

Industrial Revolution it reminded us of

the transformational moment when Apple

Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone Jensen

hang unveiled nvidia's latest Graphics

Processing Unit or GPU this is Blackwell

designed in America but made in Taiwan

like most advanced semiconductors

Blackwell he says is the fastest chip

ever Google is gearing up for Blackwell

the whole industry is gearing up for

Blackwell Nvidia ushered in the AI

Revolution with its gamechanging GPU a

single chip able to process a myriad of

calculations all at once not

sequentially like more standard chips

the GPU is the engine of nvidia's AI

computer enabling it to w rapidly absorb

a fire hose of information it does

quadrillions of calculations a second

it's just insane numbers is it doing

things now that surprise you we're

hoping that it does things that surprise

us that's the whole point in some areas

like drug Discovery designing better

materials that are lighter stronger we

need artificial intelligence to help us

explore the universe in places that we

could have never done ourselves let me

show you here bill look at this Jensen

took us around the GTC convention hall

to show us what AI has made possible in

just the past few years I'm making your

drink now some Creations were dazzling

this is a digital twin of the earth once

it learns how to calculate weather it

can calculate and predict weather 3,000

times faster than a supercomputer and a

thousand times less energy but nvidia's

AI Revolution extends far beyond this

Hall BL

metallic spaceship and let's generate

something panar Sean demera is

originally from Istanbul but co-founded

cubric near Boston her AI application

uses nvidia's gpus to instantly turn a

simple text prompt into a virtual movie

set for a fraction of the cost of

today's backdrops this isn't something

that's already planned no we're doing it

in real time it's life is Hollywood

knocking at your door and we're we're

getting a lot of

love nearby at generate biom medicines

doctor Alex Snider head of research and

development is using nvidia's technology

to create protein-based drugs she was

surprised at first to see they showed

promise in the lab initially when I was

told about the application of AI to drug

development I sort of rolled my eyes and

said yeah you know show me the data and

then I looked at the data and it was

very compelling Dr Snider's team asks

its AI models to create new proteins to

fight specific diseases like cancer and

Asthma a new way to defeat the Corona

virus is now in clinical trials you're

now working with proteins that do not

exist in nature that you're coming up

with by way of AI yes we are actually

generating what we call denovo

completely new structures that have not

existed before do you trust it as

scientists we can't trust we have to

test we're not putting Frankenstein into

people we're taking what's known and

we're really pushing the field we're

pushing the biology to make drugs that

look like regular drugs but function

even better this is a technology that

will only get better from here Brett

Adcock is CEO of figure a Silicon Valley

startup with funding from Nvidia look at

his answer to labor shortages an Nvidia

GP driven prototype called Figure one I

think what's been really extraordinary

is the pace of progress we've made in 21

months from zero to this in Z to this

yeah we we were walking this robot in

under a year since I Incorporated the

company could you do this without

invidious technology we think they're

arguably the best in the world at this I

don't know if this would be possible

without them I'm here to assist with

tasks as requested we were amazed that

figure one is not just walking but

seemed to reason hand me something

healthy on it figure one was able to

understand I wanted the orange not the

packaged snack thank you it's not yet

perfected yeah you're going to get it

but the early results are so promising

German automaker BMW plans to start

testing the robot in its South Carolina

Factory this year I think there's an

opportunity to ship billions of robots

in the coming

decades onto the planet billions I would

think that a lot of workers would look

at that as this robot is taking my job I

think over time Ai and Robotics will

start doing more and more what humans

can and better but what about the worker

the workers work for companies and so

companies when they become more

productive earnings increase I've never

seen one company that had earnings

increase and not hire more people there

are some jobs that are going to become

obsolete well let me offer it this way I

believe that you still want human in the

loop because we have good judgment

because there are circumstances that the

machines are not just not going to

understand the futuristic Nvidia campus

sits just down the road from its modest

birth place this Denny's in San Jose

good morning where 31 years ago in video

was just an idea my goodness when he was

15 Jensen hang worked as a dishwasher at

Denny's as a 30-year-old electrical

engineer married with two children he

and two friends Nvidia co-founders Chris

malikowski and Curtis PR envisioned a

whole new way of processing video game

graphics and so we came here right here

to this Denny's sat right back there and

the three of us decided to start the

company frankly I had no idea how to do

it and nor did they none of us knew how

to do anything their big idea accelerate

the processing power of computers with a

new graphics chip their initial attempt

flopped and nearly bankrupted the

company in

1996 and the genius of the engineers and

Christen Curtis um we pivoted to the

right way of doing things and created

their groundbreaking GPU the chip took

video games from

this to this today completely changed

computer Graphics saved the company uh

launched us into into the stratosphere

just eight years after Denny's Nvidia

earned a spot in the S&P 500 Jensen then

set his sites on developing the software

and hardware for a revolutionary GPU

driven superc computer which would take

the company far beyond video games

to Wall Street it was a risky bet to

early developers of AI it was a

revelation was that luck or was that

Vision that was a a luck founded by

Vision we invented this capability and

then one day the researchers that were

uh creating deep

learning discovered this architecture

because this architecture turns out to

have been perfect for them perfect for

AI perfect for AI this is the first one

we've ever

in 2016 Jensen delivered nvidia's AI

supercomputer the first of its kind to

Elon Musk then a board member of open AI

which used it to create the building

blocks of chat GPT how are you when AI

took off hey guys so did Jensen hang's

reputation can we get a picture yeah

yeah he's now a Silicon Valley celebrity

he told us the boy who immigrated from

Taiwan at age n could never have

conceived of this it is the most

extraordinary thing bill that a

normal dishwasher bus boy could grow up

to be this there's no magic it's just 61

years of hard work every single day I

don't think there's anything more than

that we met a humble Jensen at Denny's

back at nvidia's headquarters in Santa

Clara we saw he can be intense

let me tell you what some of the people

who you work with said about you

demanding perfectionist not easy to work

for all that sound right perfectly yeah

it should be like that if you want to do

extraordinary things it shouldn't be

easy all right guys keep up the good

work Nvidia has never done better

investors are bullish but last year more

than 600 top AI scientists ethicists and

others signed this statement urging

caution warning of ai's risk to humanity

when I talk to you and I hear you speak

Part of Me Goes gee whiz and the other

part of me goes oh my God what are we in

for yeah yeah which one is it it's both

it's both yeah you're feeling all the

right feelings I feel both you feel both

sure sure Humanity will have the choice

to see themselves inferior to machines

or Superior to machines Pinar Sean

demera is an AI Optimist though she

named her company cubric and homage to

Stanley kubert the director of 2001 A

Space Odyssey hello hell do you read me

in that film Hal the AI computer goes

Rogue open the pod bay doors

H I'm sorry Dave I'm afraid I can't do

that I think that's what worries people

about AI

that we will lose control of it just

because a machine can do faster

calculations comparisons and analytical

solution creation that doesn't make you

smarter than you it simply computat

faster in my world in my belief smarts

have to do with your capacity to love

create expand

transcend these are qualities that no

machine can ever bear that are deserve

to Only Humans there is something going

on Jensen hang sees an AI future of

progress and prosperity not one with

machines as our masters we can only hope

he's right thank you all for coming

thank you