Why Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Elon Musk want students to study physics instead of coding in the AI era

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and automation, some of the most influential tech leaders are urging a surprising pivot. Instead of doubling down on software and coding, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla CEO Elon Musk want today’s students to focus on the fundamentals—particularly physics and mathematics.

Jensen Huang: The case for physical sciences

During a recent event in Beijing, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang was asked what he would study if he were a 22-year-old graduate in 2025. His response caught many off guard. “I probably would have studied physical sciences,” Huang said, prioritizing physics over computer science. Despite building Nvidia into the world’s most valuable chipmaker, Huang believes that the next frontier in AI is not just software-driven but rooted in understanding the physical world.

Huang stressed that future AI systems—especially those operating in robotics and real-world environments—will require deep knowledge of physics. “The next wave requires us to understand friction, inertia, and cause and effect,” he noted, referring to what he calls “Physical AI.” As AI moves beyond perception and reasoning into real-world interaction, skills in physics, mechanics, and materials science will become increasingly valuable.

Elon Musk and the math-physics mantra

Elon Musk, known for companies like Tesla and SpaceX, has long championed physics as the foundation of all serious problem-solving. In response to a viral post by Telegram CEO Pavel Durov urging students to master mathematics, Musk simply added: “Physics (with math).” He has consistently said that understanding first principles—fundamental truths derived from physics—is key to building scalable innovation.

Musk’s endorsement aligns with his real-world projects. From rockets to autonomous cars, the challenges he tackles demand a mastery of physics far beyond software logic.

Why this shift matters

The advice from Huang and Musk marks a broader shift in thinking. While coding remains a critical skill, these leaders are advocating a return to the scientific roots that power real-world innovation. Physical AI and robotics are seen as the future of human-machine collaboration, and success in these fields depends less on writing code and more on understanding how the world works