Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang did not name the smartest person he has ever met when asked the question on Jodi Shelton’s podcast A Bit Personal. Instead, he turned the question into a broader reflection on how artificial intelligence is changing the way intelligence is judged.
Huang argued that qualities traditionally associated with intelligence, such as technical knowledge and the ability to solve complex problems, are becoming less distinctive as AI takes on more of that work.
“The definition of smart is somebody who’s intelligent, solves problems, technical. But I find that that’s a commodity,” he said.
He pointed to programming as an example. Software development was once seen as a field that demanded exceptional intellectual ability. But AI can now assist with writing and debugging code, making a skill that was once considered highly specialised increasingly accessible.
“Everybody thought software programming is the ultimate smart profession. Look, what is the first thing that AI is solving? Software programming,” Huang said.
That shift, according to Huang, means people may need to think differently about what makes someone genuinely intelligent. Technical ability remains important, but he believes it is only one part of the equation.
His idea of intelligence also involves understanding people and recognising signals that are difficult to quantify. He described the ideal combination as technical expertise alongside empathy and the ability to understand what has not been directly expressed.
Huang said people who can anticipate developments before they become obvious are likely to become particularly valuable. “People who are able to see around corners are truly, truly smart,” he said.
He referred to this ability as “feeling the vibe”, describing it as an instinct for identifying potential problems before they fully emerge.
That instinct, Huang said, develops through a mixture of experience and analysis. He listed data analysis, first-principles thinking, life experience, wisdom and the ability to sense other people as elements that contribute to it.
“That vibe, that I think, that’s smart. That, I think, is going to be the future definition of smart,” Huang said.
His view also challenges conventional measures of academic ability. Someone who possesses this kind of judgment and intuition may not necessarily perform exceptionally in traditional tests.
“And that person might actually score horribly on the SAT,” Huang said.
For Huang, the rise of AI means technical problem-solving may become increasingly commoditised. The harder-to-replace qualities could instead be those that involve understanding people, dealing with uncertainty and recognising what is coming before it becomes obvious.
Follow Storyboard18 on Google for the latest and breaking brand makers and industry updates, along with in-depth coverage of digital media and brand marketing. Stay informed with the latest perspectives only on Storyboard18.
First Published on September 6, 2026, 12:41:02 IST