Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is pushing back hard against corporate executives who blame artificial intelligence for recent layoffs, calling the practice "lazy" and fundamentally dishonest. In a candid interview with Channel NewsAsia on May 25, Huang argued that the timeline doesn't add up: companies couldn't have been laying off workers because of AI two years ago when the technology only became genuinely useful and productive in the last six months.

Why Are CEOs Really Using AI as a Layoff Excuse?

Huang's criticism comes as major corporations have announced significant workforce reductions tied to AI investments. Standard Chartered announced plans to cut over 7,000 roles over the next four years as it accelerates AI adoption, while Meta detailed plans to lay off 10 percent of its workforce with additional cuts coming later in 2026, largely linked to AI investments. Yet Huang sees these justifications as a convenient cover story rather than genuine cause and effect.

"How is it possible that AI became productive and useful only six months ago, and they were somehow laying people off two years ago because of AI? It doesn't make any sense," said Huang.

Jensen Huang, CEO at Nvidia

The Nvidia chief went further, characterizing the practice as irresponsible leadership. Using AI as an excuse for layoffs is "just too lazy" and merely a way for CEOs "to sound smart," he stated. More troublingly, Huang argued that this narrative actively harms society by encouraging the false belief that jobs will inevitably be replaced by AI, rather than transformed or elevated by it.

What Should Workers Actually Do About AI?

Rather than fear displacement, Huang offered a more empowering perspective. He encouraged workers to learn AI technology and become experts in it, reframing the challenge as a skills competition rather than a technology threat. His message was direct and practical: "You're not going to lose your jobs to AI, you're going to lose your job to somebody who learned AI better," he explained.

Huang

Huang emphasized that AI is more likely to elevate jobs than eliminate them, fundamentally changing the nature of work rather than erasing it entirely. This perspective aligns with his broader call for a "balanced narrative" about AI's potential, one that acknowledges both its transformative power and the need for responsible deployment with proper security guardrails and thoughtful policy frameworks.

How to Prepare Yourself and Your Career for the AI Era

• Develop AI Literacy: Learn how to use AI tools in your field rather than viewing them as threats. Huang stressed that expertise in AI will become a competitive advantage in the job market, and those who master these tools will outpace those who ignore them.
• Deepen Your Craft: Focus on skills that AI amplifies rather than replaces, such as critical thinking, creativity, storytelling, and domain expertise. These human-centered capabilities become more valuable when paired with AI tools.
• Stay Flexible in Your Learning Path: Huang advised that parents and students shouldn't obsess over choosing "AI-proof" subjects. Instead, he recommended focusing on how AI can elevate learning and purpose across any field, from journalism to design to traditional crafts.

Huang's perspective on education reflects a broader shift in how technology leaders view workforce adaptation. He told Channel NewsAsia that "all the things that used to matter are still things that are going to matter in the future," suggesting that foundational skills in fields like journalism, storytelling, and design will remain valuable even as AI becomes ubiquitous. He even referenced the Japanese concept of "wabi-sabi," the beauty of imperfection, suggesting that human-created work with intentional flaws may gain value in an AI-saturated world.

Beyond individual responsibility, Huang called on industries to become more AI-prepared. As workers equip themselves with stronger AI skills, companies and governments will need to re-evaluate existing regulations to accommodate AI deployment and ensure it advances safely. This systemic shift requires coordination between workers, employers, and policymakers.

What's Next for AI Leadership and Infrastructure?

Huang's message comes as he prepares to take the stage at COMPUTEX 2026, the major tech conference in Taipei. On June 2, Huang will appear alongside Marvell Technology CEO Matt Murphy for a keynote address titled "The Future of AI Depends on Connectivity." The two executives will discuss how their companies are collaborating to provide customers with greater choice and flexibility in developing next-generation AI infrastructure. This partnership, announced in March, represents a significant effort to advance the connectivity and hardware layers that underpin modern AI systems.

Huang's dual message, delivered across multiple forums, is clear: corporate leaders need to be honest about their business decisions, workers need to embrace AI as a tool for growth rather than a threat, and the industry must work together to build responsible AI infrastructure. The responsibility, he suggests, lies not with AI itself but with the humans making decisions about how to deploy it.