At the 2024 Nvidia AI Summit in Mumbai, a thought-provoking exchange took place between Bollywood star Akshay Kumar and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Kumar posed a simple yet profound question: “What is one thing AI can’t copy from humans?” Huang’s answer put the spotlight on human creativity, ethics, and emotional depth — qualities that no machine can truly replicate.
AI as Assistant, Not Replacement
Huang emphasised that while AI can outperform humans in speed, scale, and precision — automating between 20% and 50% of certain tasks — it remains dependent on human oversight for areas such as creative thinking, moral judgement, and empathy. “It’s not AI replacing you; it’s someone using AI replacing you,” he said, underscoring the need for professionals to adapt to the changing technological landscape.
According to Huang, AI’s true value lies in partnership, not competition. No job, he stressed, can be executed entirely by AI without human involvement. The technology works best when it augments human capabilities, rather than attempting to replicate them.
Engineering Safe AI: Aviation as a Model
Addressing concerns over AI’s risks, Huang drew parallels between AI system design and aviation safety protocols. Building trustworthy AI, he explained, should follow the same principles as designing a safe aircraft — incorporating layers of redundancy, diverse engineering expertise, and rigorous testing to foster public trust.
This approach, he suggested, is key to ensuring AI remains a force for good. By embedding safety and ethical considerations into its core design, AI can be deployed more confidently and responsibly across industries.
Vision of AI “Co-Pilots”
Looking towards the future, Huang shared his vision of AI “co-pilots” for every individual — highly personalised digital assistants that could help with day-to-day tasks without overstepping into intrusive territory. He stressed that such technology, if built with the right safeguards, could contribute to “a wonderful world,” steering clear of dystopian narratives often portrayed in popular media.
The Intersection of Human Curiosity and Technology
The interaction between Kumar and Huang highlighted the meeting point between human curiosity and technological vision. Kumar’s question cut to the heart of the global debate about AI’s role in society, while Huang’s response reinforced the importance of maintaining human distinctiveness in an AI-powered future.
Huang’s presence at the summit was not just a reflection of Nvidia’s growing influence in AI but also of India’s increasing importance in the global technology ecosystem. With its expanding talent pool and accelerating adoption of AI tools, India is well-positioned to influence global AI discourse.
A Global Ethical Imperative
The discussion also mirrors the ongoing worldwide debate on AI development. While some industry players push for faster, more open innovation, others advocate for measured progress rooted in ethical engineering and safety standards. Huang’s position falls firmly in the latter category, prioritising trust-building over rapid deployment.
His views echo a rising consensus among policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders that AI needs a strong ethical framework. Issues such as data privacy, bias reduction, and equitable access to AI capabilities are now central to its development and deployment.
Lessons for Marketers and Businesses
For business leaders, particularly in marketing and brand management, Huang’s message has practical implications. AI-powered tools can dramatically enhance efficiency — from predictive analytics to real-time customer segmentation — but they should not replace human judgement in areas requiring emotional intelligence and brand storytelling.
Brand loyalty, after all, is built on trust and authenticity, qualities that algorithms cannot replicate. Ethical design, transparency, and cultural sensitivity are increasingly becoming competitive advantages in a marketplace saturated with automation.
Responsible Innovation as the Path Forward
The Mumbai summit exchange was a timely reminder that technological progress is not just about pushing the boundaries of what machines can do. It is also about building systems that reflect human values and safeguard public trust.
Huang’s call to action was clear: treat AI as an assistant, not a replacement. This approach ensures that innovation is both sustainable and human-centric, combining the best of computational power with the irreplaceable qualities of human thought and empathy.
As AI continues to reshape industries, from finance to healthcare to creative services, the brands and organisations that will thrive are those that integrate AI responsibly, maintain transparency with stakeholders, and preserve the human essence at the heart of their operations.