Jensen Huang was invited to attend the graduation ceremony of NTU. Born in Tainan, he left Taiwan with his family at the age of 4 for the United States. At the moment when ChatGpt is so popular, I recently watched his video about AI and felt that he was a very NB character.
"Full Text of Huang Jenxun Tai Bi Dian Speech" Whether you are chasing food or not being treated as food, you have to keep running
summary
1. Jensen Huang, founder of NVIDIA, was invited to attend the graduation ceremony held by National Taiwan University on May 27 as a guest speaker. He first greeted everyone in Taiwanese, indicating that Taiwanese was not good enough, so he spoke in English.
2. Jensen Huang shared 3 stories of Nvidia's near failure in his speech, hoping that NTU graduates will learn to face mistakes, ask for help, persevere in pursuit of visions, hone character, and learn to give up.
3. At the end of his speech, Jensen Huang encouraged the graduates to keep running as much as possible and not to move slowly, whether they are running for food or not being treated as food by others.
Here is the full text and translation in English:
Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed faculty members, distinguished guests, proud parents, and above all, the 2023 graduating class of the National Taiwan University. Today is a very special day for you, and a dream come true for your parents.
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished faculty, distinguished guests, proud parents, and most importantly, National Taiwan University Class of 2023. Today is a very special day for you and a dream come true for your parents.
You should be moving out soon. It is surely a day of pride and joy. So, your parents have made sacrifices to see you on this day. My parents are here, and so is my brother. Let's show all of our parents and our grandparents, many of them are here, our appreciation.
You should be moving out soon. It was undoubtedly a day of pride and joy. So, your parents made sacrifices to see you on this day. My parents are here and my brother is here. Let's express our gratitude to all of our parents and grandparents, many of them.
I came to NTU for the first time over a decade ago. Dr. Chen invited me to visit his computational physics lab. As I recall, his son, based in Silicon Valley, had learned of NVIDIA's CUDA invention and recommended his father utilize it for his quantum physics simulations.
I first came to Nanyang Technological University more than a decade ago. Dr. Chen invited me to visit his computational physics lab. I remember that his son, who lived in Silicon Valley, knew about NVIDIA's CUDA invention and suggested that his father use it for quantum physics simulations.
When I arrived, he opened the door to show me what he had made. NVIDIA GeForce gaming cards filled the room, plugged into open PC motherboards, and sitting on metal shelves in the aisles were oscillating platform fans.
When I arrived, he opened the door to show me everything he had done. NVIDIA GeForce gaming cards packed the room, plugged into open PC motherboards, and sat swinging platform fans on metal shelves in the aisle.
Dr. Chen had built a homemade supercomputer, the Taiwanese Way, out of gaming graphics cards. He started here, an early example of NVIDIA's journey.
Dr. Chen built a homemade supercomputer out of game graphics cards—the Taiwanese way. He started here, an early example of NVIDIA's journey.
He was so proud, and he said to me, Mr. Huang, because of your work, I can do my life's work. Those words touch me to this day, and perfectly capture our company's purpose, to help the Einstein and Da Vinci of our time do their life's work.
He was very proud, and he said to me, Mr. Huang, because of your work, I can do the work of my life. These words still touch me today and perfectly embody our company's purpose to help Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci in our time complete their life's work.
I am so happy to be back at NTU, and to be your commencement address. The world was simpler when I graduated from Oregon State University. TVs were not flat yet. There was no cable television, and MTV.
I am very happy to be back at NTU and to be your commencement speech. When I graduated from Oregon State University, the world was simpler. The TV is not flat yet. There is no cable TV and MTV.
And the words mobile and phone didn't go together. The year was 1984. The IBM PC-AT and Apple Macintosh launched the PC revolution.
The words cell phone and phone are not put together. The year was 1984. IBM PC-AT and Apple Macintosh revolutionized the PC.
And started the chip and software industry that we know today. You enter a far more complex world, with geopolitical, social, and environmental changes and challenges.
And began the chip and software industry as we know it today. You enter a more complex world, with geopolitical, social and environmental changes and challenges.
Surrounded by technology, we are now perpetually connected, and immersed in a digital world that parallels our real world. Cars are starting to drive by themselves.
Surrounded by technology, we are now forever connected and immersed in a digital world parallel to our real world. The car began to drive itself.
AI will create new jobs that didn't exist before, and AI will create new jobs that didn't exist before
Forty years after the computer industry created the home PC, we invented artificial intelligence. Like software that automatically drives a car, or studies x-ray images, AI software has opened the door for computers to automate tasks for the world's largest, multi-trillion dollars of industries.
Forty years after the computer industry created the home PC, we invented artificial intelligence. Like self-driving cars or software that studies X-ray images, AI software opens the door for computers to automate tasks for the world's largest, multi-trillion-dollar industry.
Healthcare, financial services, transportation, and manufacturing. AI has opened immense opportunities.
Healthcare, financial services, transportation, and manufacturing. Artificial intelligence opens up huge opportunities.
Agile companies will take advantage of AI, and boost their position. Companies less so, will perish. Entrepreneurs, many of them here today, will start new companies.
Agile companies will leverage AI and elevate their status. Companies are not, they will perish. Entrepreneurs, many of whom are here today, will start new companies.
And like in every computing era before, create new industries. AI will create new jobs that didn't exist before. Like data engineering, prompt engineering, AI factory operations, and AI safety engineers.
As in every previous era of computing, create new industries. AI will create new jobs that didn't exist before. Examples include data engineering, prompt engineering, AI factory operations, and AI security engineers.
These are jobs that never existed before. Automated tasks will obsolete some jobs. And for sure, AI will change every job. Supercharging the performance of programmers, designers, artists, marketers, and manufacturing planners.
These are jobs that have never existed before. Automating tasks will retire some jobs. To be sure, AI will change every job. Improve the performance of programmers, designers, artists, marketers, and manufacturing planners.
Just as every generation before you embraced technologies to succeed, every company, and you, must learn to take advantage of AI. And do amazing things with an AI co-pilot by your side.
As with every generation before you embrace technology for success, every company and you must learn to take advantage of AI. And do amazing things with the AI co-pilot by your side.
While some worry that AI may take their jobs, someone who expert with AI will. We are at the beginning of a major technology era, like PC, internet, mobile, and cloud. But AI is far more fundamental because every computing layer has been reinvented, from how we write software to how it's processed.
While some worry that AI may take their jobs, AI experts will. We are at the beginning of an era of major technologies, such as PC, Internet, mobile, and cloud. But the foundation of AI is much bigger, because every computing layer has been reinvented from how we write software to how we process it.
AI has reinvented computing from the ground up. In every way, this is a rebirth of the computer industry. And a golden opportunity for the companies of Taiwan.
Artificial intelligence has reinvented computing from the ground up. By all accounts, this is the rebirth of the computer industry. For Taiwanese companies, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
You are the foundation and bedrock of the computer industry. Within the next decade, our industry will replace over a trillion dollars of the world's traditional computers with new, accelerated AI computers.
You are the foundation and cornerstone of the computer industry. Over the next decade, our industry will replace the world's more than a trillion dollars of conventional computers with new, accelerated AI computers.
The first story of NVIDIA: Confronting mistakes and asking for helpNVIDIA's first story: Facing mistakes and asking for help
My journey started 40 years before yours. 1984 was a perfect year to graduate. I predict that 2023 will be as well.
My journey began 40 years before you. 1984 was the perfect year to graduate. I predict that the same will be true in 2023.
What can I tell you as you begin your journey? Today is the most successful day of your life so far. You're graduating from the National Taiwan University. I was also successful until I started NVIDIA.
What can I tell you when you start your journey? Today is by far the most successful day of your life. You graduated from National Taiwan University. Before I started NVIDIA, I was also successful.
At NVIDIA, I experienced failures. Great big ones. All humiliating and embarrassing. Many nearly doomed us.
At NVIDIA, I experienced failure. Great big. It's all humiliation and embarrassment. Many are almost doomed to us.
Let me tell you three NVIDIA stories that define us today.
Let me tell you three NVIDIA stories that have defined who we are today.
We founded NVIDIA to create accelerated computing. Our first application was 3D graphics for PC gaming.
We founded NVIDIA to create accelerated computing. Our first application was 3D graphics for PC gaming.
We invented an unconventional 3D approach called forward texture mapping and curves. Our approach was substantially lower cost. We won a contract with SEGA to build their game console, which attracted games for our platform and funded our company.
We invented an unconventional 3D method called forward texture mapping and curves. Our approach significantly reduces costs. We contracted Sega to develop consoles, attracted games for our platform and funded our company.
After one year of development, we realized our architecture was the wrong strategy. It was technically poor. And Microsoft was about to announce Windows 95 Direct 3D based on inverse texture mapping and triangles.
After a year of development, we realized that our architecture was the wrong strategy. It is technically poor. Microsoft is about to announce Windows 95 Direct 3D based on reverse texture mapping and triangles.
Many companies were already working on 3D chips to support this standard. If we completed SEGA's game console, we would have built inferior technology, be incompatible with Windows, and be too far behind to catch up.
Many companies are already working on 3D chips to support this standard. If we finish Sega's console, we will build inferior technology, not compatible with Windows, and too far behind to catch up.
But we would be out of money if we didn't finish the contract. Either way, we would be out of business. I contacted the CEO of SEGA and explained that our invention was the wrong approach.
But if we don't complete the contract, we will run out of money. Either way, we're going out of business. I contacted Sega's CEO and explained that our invention was the wrong approach.
That SEGA should find another partner. And that we could not complete the contract and the console. We had to stop. But I needed Sega to pay us in whole. Or NVIDIA would be out of business.
Sega should find another partner. And we can't complete the contract and console. We had to stop. But I need Sega to pay us in full. Otherwise Nvidia will go out of business.
I was embarrassed to ask. Irimajiri-san, the CEO of SEGA, to his credit and my amazement, agreed.
I'm embarrassed to ask. Sega's CEO, Irimajiri-san, agreed, to my surprise.
His understanding and generosity gave us six months to live. With that, we built RIVA 128. Just as we were running out of money. RIVA 128 shocked the young 3D market, put us on the map, and saved the company.
His understanding and generosity gave us six months of life. From this, we built the RIVA 128. Just when we ran out of money. RIVA 128 shocked the young 3D market, got us on the map, and saved the company.
The strong demand for our chip led me back to Taiwan after leaving at the age of four to meet Morris Chang at TSMC and started a partnership that has lasted 25 years. Confronting our mistake and with humility asking for help, save NVIDIA.
The strong demand for our chips led me to return to Taiwan after leaving Taiwan at the age of four, meeting Morris Chang at TSMC and starting a partnership that lasted 25 years. In the face of our mistakes, humbly ask for help and save NVIDIA.
These traits are the hardest for the brightest and most successful like yourself.
These traits are the hardest for the smartest and most successful people like you.
The second story of NVIDIA: Endure pain and suffering needed to realize your dreams' second story: endure the pain and tribulation required to make your dreams come true
In 2007, we announced CUDA GPU Accelerated Computing. Our aspiration was for CUDA to become a programming model that boosts applications from scientific computing and physics simulations to image processing. Creating a new computing model is incredibly hard and rarely done in history.
In 2007, we released CUDA GPU-accelerated computing. Our aspiration is for CUDA to be a programming model that drives applications ranging from scientific computing and physical simulation to image processing. Creating new computational models is very difficult and has historically been rarely done.
The CPU computing model has been the standard for 60 years since the IBM System 360. CUDA needed developers to write applications and demonstrate the benefits of the GPU.
The CPU computing model has been the standard for 60 years since the advent of IBM System 360. CUDA requires developers to write applications and demonstrate the benefits of GPUs.
Developers needed a large installed base. A large CUDA installed base needed customers buying new applications. To solve the chicken or the egg problem, we used GeForce, our gaming GPU, which already had a large market of gamers, to build the installed base.
Developers need a huge installed base. The large CUDA installed base requires customers to purchase new applications. To solve the chicken-and-egg problem, we built the install base using our gaming GPU, GeForce, which already has a large market for gamers.
But the added cost of CUDA was very high. NVIDIA's profits took a huge hit for many years. Our market cap hovered just above $1 billion.
But CUDA's additional cost is very high. Nvidia's profits have taken a huge hit over the years. Our market cap hovers over $1 billion.
We suffered many years of poor performance. Our shareholders were skeptical of CUDA. And preferred we focused on improving profitability. But we persevered.
We suffered from years of bad performance. Our shareholders are skeptical of CUDA. We prefer to focus on improving profitability. But we persevered.
We believed a time for accelerated computing would come. We created a conference called GTC and promoted CUDA tirelessly worldwide. Then the applications came.
We believe the era of accelerated computing is coming. We created a conference called GTC and worked tirelessly to promote CUDA around the world. Then the application came.
Seismic processing, CT reconstruction, molecular dynamics, particle physics, fluid dynamics, and image processing. One science domain after another, they came.
Seismic processing, CT reconstruction, molecular dynamics, particle physics, fluid dynamics, and image processing. Field after field of science, here they come.
We worked with each developer to write their algorithms and achieved incredible speedups. Then, in 2012, AI researchers discovered CUDA.
We worked with every developer to write their algorithms and achieved incredible speedup. Then, in 2012, AI researchers discovered CUDA.
The famous AlexNet trained on GeForce GTX 580 started the Big Bang of AI. Fortunately, we realized the potential of deep learning as a whole new software approach. And turned every aspect of our company to advance this new field.
The famous AlexNet, trained on the GeForce GTX 580, kicked off the big bang of AI. Fortunately, we realized the potential of deep learning as an entirely new approach to software. and transformed every aspect of our company to advance this new frontier.
We risked everything to pursue deep learning. A decade later, the AI revolution started. And NVIDIA is the engine of AI developers worldwide.
We risk everything in pursuit of deep learning. Ten years later, the AI revolution began. NVIDIA is the engine for AI developers worldwide.
We invented CUDA and pioneered accelerated computing and AI. But the journey forged our corporate character to endure the pain and suffering that is always needed to realize a vision.
We invented CUDA and pioneered accelerated computing and artificial intelligence. However, this journey has shaped our corporate character to endure the pain and tribulation required to realize our vision.
The third story of NVIDIA: Strategic retreat: Strategic retreat
One more story. In 2010, Google aimed to develop Android into a mobile computer with excellent graphics.
One more story. In 2010, Google's goal was to develop Android into a mobile computer with great graphics.
The phone industry had chip companies with modem expertise. NVIDIA's computing and graphics expertise made us an ideal partner to help build Android. So we entered the mobile chip market.
The telephone industry has chip companies with modem expertise. NVIDIA's computing and graphics expertise makes us the ideal partner to help build Android." So we entered the mobile chip market.
We were instantly successful. And our business and stock price surged. The competition quickly swarmed. Modem chip makers were learning how to build computing chips. And we were learning how to build modems.
We succeeded immediately. Our business and share price soared. Competition quickly swarmed in. Modem chip makers are learning how to build computing chips. We are learning how to build a modem.
The phone market is huge. We could fight for share. Instead, we made a hard decision and sacrificed the market.
The mobile phone market is huge. We can fight for share. Instead, we made a tough decision at the expense of the market.
NVIDIA's mission is to build computers to solve problems that ordinary computers cannot. We should dedicate ourselves to realizing our vision and to making a unique contribution.
NVIDIA's mission is to build computers to solve problems that ordinary computers cannot. We should be committed to achieving our vision and making a unique contribution.
Our strategic retreat paid off. By leaving the phone market, we opened our minds to invent a new one. We imagined creating a new type of computer for robotic computers. With neural network processor, safety architectures that run AI algorithms.
Our strategic retreat paid off. By leaving the mobile phone market, we opened our hearts and minds to invent a new mobile phone market. We envision the creation of a new type of computer for robotic computers. A secure architecture that uses a neural network processor to run AI algorithms.
At the time, this was a zero billion dollar market. To retreat from a giant phone market to create a zero billion dollar robotics market. We now have billions of dollars of automotive and robotics business and started a new industry. Retreat does not come easily to the brightest and most successful people like yourself.
At the time, it was a billion-dollar market. Retreat from a huge mobile phone market and create a billion-dollar robot market. We now have a multi-billion dollar automotive and robotics business and are starting a new industry. For the smartest and most successful people like you, retreat is not easy.
Yet, strategic retreat, sacrifice, deciding what to give up, is that a core, the very core of success?
However, strategic retreat, sacrifice, deciding what to give up, is this a core, the core of success?
Class of 2023, you're about to go into a world witnessing great change. And just as I was with the PC and chip revolution, you're at the beginning, at the starting line of AI. Every industry will be revolutionized. Reborn.
Class of 2023, you are about to enter a world that has witnessed great change. Just like I did with the PC and chip revolution, you're at the starting point of AI. Every industry will be revolutionized. Rebirth.
Ready for new ideas. Your ideas. In 40 years, we created the PC, internet, mobile, cloud, and now the AI era.
Be prepared for new ideas. Your thoughts. In 40 years, we've created the PC, the internet, mobile, the cloud, and now the era of artificial intelligence.
What will you create? Whatever it is, run after it like we did. Run. Don't walk. Remember, either you're running for food, or you are running from being food.
What will you create? Whatever it is, chase it as we do. Run. Don't walk. Remember, either you're running for food or you're running away from becoming food.
I hope that part can be translated into Chinese so that everyone can understand.
I hope this part can be translated into Chinese so that everyone can understand.
Either you're running for food, or you are running from becoming food.
Either you're running for food, or you're running away from being food.
And oftentimes, you can't tell which. Either way, run. And for your journey, take along some of my learnings. That you will have the humility to confront failure, admit a mistake, and ask for help.
Many times, you can't tell which one is the same. Either way, run. For your journey, please bring some of my knowledge. You will face failure with humility, admit mistakes, and ask for help.
You will endure pain and suffering needed to realize your dreams. And you will make sacrifices to dedicate yourself to a life of purpose and doing your life's work.
You will endure the pain and tribulation required to achieve your dreams. You will make sacrifices to dedicate yourself to a purposeful life and do the work of your life.
Class of 2023, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each one of you. Jiayou!
Dear Class of 2023, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you. Jiayou!