NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang on The Smartest Person he’s Ever Met.

Overview

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang argues that the usual definition of being “smart”—high intelligence and the ability to solve technical problems—is becoming less distinctive as AI advances. As AI rapidly takes over tasks that people once viewed as the hallmark of intelligence (such as software programming), he challenges the idea that technical capability alone should define “smart.”

Huang’s Long-Term Definition of Smartness

Huang proposes a longer-term view of intelligence: true smartness emerges at the intersection of technical expertise and human qualities—especially:

• Empathy
• The ability to infer what isn’t explicitly stated
• Judgment “around the corners,” meaning the ability to anticipate problems before they fully appear

“Around the Corners”: How It Works

He describes this forward-looking judgment as being informed by signals and context, including:

• Sensing signals (“the vibe”)
• Data
• Analysis
• First principles
• Lived experience
• Wisdom
• Understanding other people

Rethinking Traditional Metrics

Huang also suggests that this kind of intelligence may not align with conventional measures—such as performing well on standardized tests like the SAT—implying that traditional metrics may not capture the most valuable forms of intelligence going forward.

Presenters / Contributors

• Jensen Huang (NVIDIA CEO)