Data Center Construction โworkers in High Demand โขas AI Boom takes Hold: Nvidia โฃCEO
SANTA CLARA, CA โ- โคAs artificial intelligence advancement surges, a surprising professionโ is poised for significant growth: data center construction. Nvidia CEOโ Jensenโค Huang is urging young people too consider technical fields supporting AI infrastructure, specifically highlightingโ the robust job market for skilled tradespeople building andโค maintaining these facilities, rather than focusing solelyโข on traditional office or software roles vulnerable to automation.
Huang’s comments โขcame following Nvidia’s announcement of a $100 billion investment in AI chip-based data center infrastructure.A McKinsey report estimates globalโ capital โexpenditure for data centerโฃ development could reach $7 trillion by 2030.โฃ Thisโฃ massive build-out translates to โคsubstantial demand for construction workers, with a single 250,000โ square foot (approximately 2.32 hectares) data center requiring up to 1,500 workersโข during construction – many earning over $100,000 annually without a college degree.
While operational data centersโ require a smallerโข permanent staffโข of around 50 for maintenance, Huang โemphasizesโฃ the โ”multiplier effect” creates numerous additional jobs around the facilities. he suggests that for those entering theโค workforceโ now,”physical sciences” – including electrical engineering,mechanicalโ engineering,and applied physics – offer a โฃmore secure career path than software development.
“If Iโ were 20 years โฃold, maybe I โฃwould chooseโ physical sciences rather than software,”โ Huang stated, noting Nvidia’s current valuation exceedingโข $4.5 trillion. His viewpoint aligns with growing concerns among other U.S. CEOs regarding the potential for AI-driven job displacement in traditionally โคwhite-collar roles.