Speech
2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University
Jensen Huang tells the Carnegie Mellon class of 2026 about his path from an immigrant family in Kentucky to founding NVIDIA, what failure taught him, and why the start of the AI era is a moment for optimism, responsibility, and ambition.
The recording
Video from Carnegie Mellon University, the original recording. Open on YouTube.
Quotes, in order
Each quote links to the moment it is said. A Verified source label means the words were checked against the recording; other quotes are the widely published wording of a passage, which can differ slightly from what was said.
Not easy, but full of opportunities. Not a guarantee, but a chance.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 3:22 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
We had absolutely no idea how to build a company, raise money, or run NVIDIA. I just thought, how hard could it be? It turns out it is super hard.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 4:43 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
I learned early that being CEO is not about power, but the responsibility that comes with keeping the company alive, and that honesty and humility can be met with generosity and kindness, even in business.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 5:45 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
We learn never to see failure as the opposite of success. Each failure is just another learning moment, a humility moment, a character strengthening moment.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 6:26 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
The resilience forged through setbacks is what gives you the strength to go again.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 6:40 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
My career started at the beginning of the PC revolution. Your career starts at the beginning of the AI revolution.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 7:22 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
History shows that societies that retreat from technology do not stop progress. They only surrender the opportunity to shape it and to benefit from it.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 11:43 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
We should not teach fear of the future. We should engage it with optimism, responsibility and ambition.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 12:08 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
AI does not replace human purpose. It amplifies human capability.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 15:00 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
AI is not likely to replace you, but someone using AI better than you might.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 15:18 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
Opportunity should not belong only to the people who can code.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 16:27 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
No generation has entered the world with more powerful tools or greater opportunities than you. We are all standing at the same starting line.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 17:13 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
Build something worthy of your education, your potential, and the people who believed in you long before the world did.
Source2026 Commencement Address at Carnegie Mellon University · Watch at 17:51 · Carnegie Mellon University on YouTube
The recording is the university's own. We link to and embed it from the university's channel and quote short excerpts.