Skilled trades ride the AI revolution: the future belongs to electricians and plumbers

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is not only transforming the digital sphere, but also promising dramatic changes in the labor market, reshaping the value of traditional skilled trades. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said he believes that electricians, plumbers, builders, and metalworkers will soon become some of the most sought-after professionals, leading to a significant increase in their wages. He made the remark during a panel discussion with BlackRock chief Larry Fink at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Data center investment boom and a new era of infrastructure

According to Huang, tech giants are actively investing in the construction of new data centers, which are the foundation of AI development. By the end of the current decade, global capital spending on these projects is expected to reach an impressive $7 trillion. This points to the start of an unprecedented phase of infrastructure development that will require substantial human resources.

“It is great that these jobs are in the skilled trades, and we are going to need plumbers, electricians, builders and metalworkers,” Huang stressed. He explained that these specialists will be involved in building and maintaining the new digital infrastructure that will power future technologies.

Labor shortages and rising incomes: the reality today

Although skilled trades often do not require a university degree, they are already facing a severe shortage of qualified workers. At the same time, wages in these fields are already fairly high. For example, in the United States, professionals in these occupations can earn more than $100,000 a year.

Analytical forecasts confirm this trend. According to estimates from consulting firm McKinsey, by 2030 the United States alone will need around 130,000 new electricians, 240,000 builders, and 150,000 construction supervisors. Such a sharp rise in demand will inevitably lead to further wage growth in these industries.

Rethinking the value of education and income

Jensen Huang is calling for a reassessment of the outdated idea that high income is linked exclusively to academic education. He emphasizes: “Everybody should have the opportunity to earn a great living. You don’t need a PhD in computer science to do that.” This means society should recognize and value the contribution of skilled workers, whose labor is the foundation of economic and technological progress.

Counterarguments and challenges on the path to change

However, not all business leaders share such an optimistic view. Ford CEO Jim Farley has expressed concern about how AI development could affect traditional office jobs. He notes that the education system still pushes young people toward earning a four-year degree, while the labor market increasingly needs skilled workers. At the same time, Farley also acknowledges the critical need for industrial and construction specialists to make a large-scale return of manufacturing and infrastructure development possible.

Larry Fink, head of BlackRock, agrees with this view. He notes that the shortage of electricians could become one of the main “bottlenecks” in the future construction of data centers needed for AI development. This highlights the urgent need to train and attract more skilled professionals.

AI in action: new challenges and solutions

These trends are also visible in other sectors. For example, Amazon is testing an AI-based workforce management system to optimize warehouse operations and logistics. However, this initiative has faced resistance from managers who ignored the algorithm’s recommendations. This has led to a need for stronger enforcement of AI instructions.

In addition, the issue of the ethical use of AI is becoming increasingly important. In China, for example, the government has banned virtual “lovers” — AI chatbots that simulate romantic relationships with people. This shows the need to develop clear rules and limits for the use of AI, especially in areas involving human emotions and relationships.

Thus, the development of artificial intelligence creates both enormous opportunities and new challenges. The rise of skilled trades as the “new elite” is a reality that requires a profound rethinking of education, the labor market, and the social value of different kinds of work. Growing demand for skilled workers, driven by infrastructure investment and technological progress, will be a defining factor in economic growth and stability in the years ahead.