For over a decade, the advice for anyone wanting to succeed in tech has been simple: "Learn to code." That's why it was so surprising when Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA, a company at the epicenter of the artificial intelligence revolution, offered a different perspective.
"If I were 20 years old and graduating today," Huang stated, "I might choose physics over software."
This wasn't just a casual remark. It was a clear signal about the future of technology. Huang’s insight suggests that the next generation of innovation won't be limited to software. Instead, it will be built on science, materials, and a deep understanding of the physical world.
Historically, AI development has been a digital pursuit, focused on writing clever algorithms and processing massive datasets. According to Huang, this era is evolving. The future of AI is physical. Consider the technologies defining our world in 2025 and beyond: autonomous cars navigating complex city streets, intelligent drones delivering packages, and advanced robotics in hospitals and factories. This is artificial intelligence with hands, eyes, and wheels. The challenge is no longer just about programming; it's about engineering intelligent systems that can sense, decide, and act in the real world. This evolution extends to the microscopic level with fields like quantum computing and new materials science. These disciplines are essential for creating the smaller, faster, and more efficient hardware needed to power tomorrow's intelligent machines. To build a smarter world, we need to master the atoms it's made from.
For students and professionals planning their careers, this shift is critical. Huang's advice isn't to stop coding, but to build a stronger foundation underneath it. A background in physics, mathematics, and engineering provides the "first principles" thinking required to solve complex, real-world problems. While coding tells a computer what to do, physics explains what is possible. The leaders of tomorrow will be those who can bridge the digital and physical realms.
The era of the hyper-specialized professional working in isolation is fading. True innovation in AI will now happen at the intersection of different fields. Imagine engineers who understand biology, physicists who can design computer chips, or programmers who can build and deploy robots. The future belongs to interdisciplinary thinkers who can speak the languages of both science and software. These are the people who will become the architects of our AI-powered future.
Ultimately, Jensen Huang’s statement wasn't against software, but for a bigger vision of what AI can achieve. The goal is not just to create a smarter internet, but to build a smarter, more responsive physical world. To get there, the next wave of pioneers will need a toolkit built on the fundamental laws of reality. Understanding the universe might just be the most important skill in an age dominated by artificial intelligence.