Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Urge Students to Prioritize Physics and Math Over Coding in AI Era

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla CEO Elon Musk are encouraging students to prioritize physics and mathematics over coding, emphasizing that the future of AI—particularly in robotics and practical applications—relies on understanding the physical world. Speaking in Beijing, Huang said he would choose physical sciences if he were a student today, highlighting that future AI must comprehend concepts like friction, inertia, and cause-and-effect, which he calls “Physical AI.” Musk, a long-time supporter of first-principles thinking rooted in physics, agreed, noting that math and physics are essential for problem-solving in areas ranging from rockets to self-driving cars. Both leaders stress that a focus on scientific fundamentals, rather than just software skills, is crucial for innovation in the AI era.