Huang says trades will benefit from AI infrastructure

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang addressed Carnegie Mellon University’s class of 2026 during the commencement ceremony over the weekend, saying that the large infrastructure build-out required for artificial intelligence will create demand for trade workers such as electricians, plumbers and builders.

“Electricians, plumbers, iron workers, technicians, builders, this is your time,” Huang told graduates. He also said AI will expand work beyond software and chip design and offered a national message on construction and manufacturing, adding, “AI gives America the opportunity to build again.”

Cloud and tech companies have increased capital spending to meet rising demand for AI processing. Providers including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Meta and Google have raised investments in data centers, networking and power systems. Research from McKinsey projects roughly $6.7 trillion in data-center investment by 2030 to keep pace with compute demand, with about $5.2 trillion directed at facilities designed specifically for AI workloads.

Labor market figures show faster growth in demand for trades tied to data-center construction and operations. Analysis by Randstad in March found global demand for skilled trades growing three times faster than demand for professional roles, with hiring for HVAC engineers up 67% and construction workers up 30% over the measured period.

At the same time, several studies highlight potential effects of AI on white-collar and early-career roles. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that AI could eliminate up to half of entry-level positions by the end of the decade. A March 2026 report from Anthropic said white-collar workers face high exposure to automation and found evidence that hiring of younger workers has slowed in occupations exposed to AI. A 2025 talent study from SignalFire reported a reduction in tech firms’ hiring of recent college graduates during 2024.

In his remarks to graduates, Huang framed the moment as one of opportunity and rapid change. “You are entering the world at an extraordinary moment. A new industry is being born. A new era of science and discovery is beginning,” he said, concluding his address with, “So run. Don’t walk.”

Industry reports and research indicate continued infrastructure spending tied to AI will sustain demand for electricians, plumbers, ironworkers and related trades, and that hiring patterns in white-collar fields may shift as automation tools become more capable.