Artificial intelligence growth drives demand for technical jobs and redefines qualifications

The advancement of artificial intelligence is creating a need that goes beyond software engineers, data scientists, and technology specialists. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, said during the Carnegie Mellon University graduation ceremony in May 2026 that the expansion of data centers is also expected to increase demand for technical professionals involved in building and maintaining this infrastructure.

At the event, Huang mentioned electricians, plumbers, metalworkers, technicians, and construction professionals as occupations that could benefit from the new wave of AI investment. The reason is simple: the greater the infrastructure required to train and run artificial intelligence models, the greater the need for people who can install equipment, build facilities, and keep these systems operational.

Why AI increases demand for technical jobs

Artificial intelligence models rely on physical infrastructure. Data centers require energy, cooling systems, networks, equipment, and structures capable of continuous operation. According to Huang, this process could create a new wave of demand for skilled workers. In a statement to Channel 4, the executive said that hundreds of thousands of professionals such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters would be needed to build new facilities.

Nvidia also released Huang’s speech at Carnegie Mellon. According to the CEO, artificial intelligence would not only create a new computing industry, but a new phase of industrialization. This helps explain why some professions that do not require a traditional degree may become more important at the same time that certain administrative tasks are automated.

Will a degree lose value with artificial intelligence?

Huang’s comments do not mean that college is becoming irrelevant. Data from the World Economic Forum show a more complex picture.

The Future of Jobs Report 2025 shows that 43% of employers surveyed expect to continue using a university education as a hiring requirement until 2030. In addition, 14 of the 15 jobs expected to grow the most proportionally during this period generally require a university education.

At the same time, the study identifies a change in the way companies evaluate candidates. Professional experience, practical skills, and competency assessments are gaining ground alongside academic credentials.

This creates a market with different qualification paths. For some careers, a degree remains a gateway. For others, technical courses, practical experience, and certifications may carry more weight. The required training depends on the occupation.

Which professions may gain ground

The expansion of AI infrastructure is only part of the transformation. The World Economic Forum report also points to expected growth in roles related to technology, data, and artificial intelligence.

Among the areas with the highest projected percentage growth by 2030 are:

• big data specialists
• fintech engineers
• artificial intelligence and machine learning specialists
• software and application developers
• security specialists

At the same time, professions related to construction, transportation, personal care, education, and production also appear among the roles with projected growth in absolute numbers. The difference lies in the type of skill required. While some occupations depend on advanced digital knowledge, others require physical, technical, or interpersonal skills that are not easily replaced by automated systems.

What changes for those already in the workforce

For professionals who are already working, the transformation can occur within their own occupation. A person does not necessarily need to switch to a technology career to be affected by artificial intelligence.

The World Economic Forum estimates that 39% of the main skills required in the labor market will change by 2030. Among the skills expected to grow the most are AI and big data, technological literacy, creative thinking, leadership, analytical ability, and continuous learning.

This means that professional development may become an increasingly important part of a career path.

A change in the concept of qualification

The advancement of artificial intelligence also expands the discussion about what it means to be prepared for a career. A degree remains a requirement or differentiator in many areas, while others may place more value on practical experience and specific knowledge.

In the case of the technical professions mentioned by Huang, the expansion of data centers shows that the AI economy depends on both professionals who develop the models and workers responsible for the infrastructure that enables their operation.

For those already in the workforce, the scenario combines education, experience, and training. Professional qualifications tend to take different forms depending on the occupation and the skills required.