In a recent address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlighted an often-overlooked consequence of the artificial intelligence boom: a surge in demand for skilled vocational workers. Huang argued that the rapid expansion of AI is fueling the “largest infrastructure buildout in human history,” creating a wealth of opportunities for professionals like plumbers, electricians, and construction workers.
The Largest Infrastructure Buildout In History
Huang described the AI ecosystem as a “five-layer cake” that begins with energy and extends through chips, data center infrastructure, AI models, and finally, applications. This extensive buildout, spanning chip factories and massive “AI factories,” requires trillions of dollars in global investment.
According to Huang, this physical infrastructure is the foundation upon which the entire AI industry is built. As companies and governments pour capital into computing power, the need for individuals who can build and maintain these complex facilities is skyrocketing. He predicted that the demand for these skilled trades could drive salaries into the six-figure range.
A New Wave Of High-Demand Jobs
While much of the conversation around AI and employment focuses on potential displacement in white-collar sectors, Huang’s comments shift the focus to job creation in skilled trades. The construction and maintenance of data centers are labor-intensive processes requiring specialized expertise.
“Workers, plumbers, electricians, network technicians, construction workers, designers, architects. It’s going to create lots and lots of jobs,” Huang stated, emphasizing that the AI revolution is creating tangible employment opportunities that are crucial for re-industrialization and economic growth.
The MENA Context: Building Sovereign AI and Data Center Dominance
Huang’s insights are particularly relevant for the MENA region, which is aggressively investing in becoming a global hub for data and AI. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are pouring billions into developing sovereign AI capabilities and constructing hyperscale data centers. This regional ambition aligns perfectly with Huang’s vision of AI as critical national infrastructure.
The massive data center projects underway across the region, from NEOM to various tech hubs in the UAE, will directly fuel demand for the very jobs Huang mentioned. This presents a significant opportunity for the local workforce and vocational training programs to align with the needs of the burgeoning digital economy. As MENA nations build out their “five-layer cake” of AI, the demand for skilled labor to construct and manage the physical infrastructure will be a critical component of their success.
About Nvidia
Nvidia is an American multinational technology company that designs graphics processing units (GPUs) for the gaming and professional markets, as well as system-on-a-chip units (SoCs) for the mobile computing and automotive market. The company has become a dominant force in the artificial intelligence hardware and software space, with its advanced chips powering data centers and AI applications worldwide.
Source: Tech in Asia
