AsianFin -- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasized the continued importance of foundational skills such as mathematics, reasoning, logic, and computer programming during a fireside chat at the Advanced Manufacturing Chain Forum at the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo.

Speaking with Wang Jian, Director of Zhejiang Lab and founder of Alibaba Cloud, Huang addressed the misconception that the rise of artificial intelligence has made traditional technical knowledge obsolete. He noted that although AI systems are increasingly capable of solving problems in math, logic, and programming—and can even write their own code—this does not mean humans can afford to stop learning these subjects.

According to Huang, tackling complex, unfamiliar problems still requires the ability to think from first principles and break issues down step by step—skills rooted in a strong understanding of core disciplines. He stressed that human critical thinking remains essential in the AI era, particularly in evaluating and reasoning through AI-generated solutions.

Huang encouraged young people to develop and maintain these cognitive abilities, saying that even if such skills are not immediately required in everyday life, a basic understanding of them is vital for meaningful engagement with AI and future technologies.