Jensen Huang. AP Yonhap News

The British daily Financial Times (FT) named Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, as its 'Person of the Year' on the 12th (local time), calling him 'the driving force behind the massive artificial intelligence (AI) boom with the capacity to reshape the global economy.'

The publication explained, "Chips that were once unloved stepchildren of the digital world have emerged this year as the engine of the AI frenzy sweeping through industry and finance. We have chosen Jensen Huang as our Person of the Year because of the role he has played in this transformation."

In an interview with the FT, CEO Huang shared an anecdote involving U.S. President Donald Trump. President Trump was the FT's 'Person of the Year' last year.

CEO Huang stated that in February, while celebrating his birthday at home with his wife, he noticed several missed calls from an unknown number. He was about to ignore them when the phone rang again. Upon answering, a voice said, "Jensen, it's President Trump." Thinking it was a prank call, he responded, "Oh really? President Trump?" The call lasted for 45 minutes.

The FT noted that as he moved into "the center of power," he recently received government permission to sell Nvidia's advanced chips to China. It also pointed out that he has shown an ability to "navigate Trump's White House" by praising Trump in public appearances and by demonstrating skill in the deal-making that Trump favors.

He described being "pushed onto the geopolitical stage" as a challenge, stating, "(Politicians and administrators) do not speak the language of my native tongue, which is technology."

Regarding China, he commented, "Chinese leaders are builders and engineers. They move fast and regulations are very light," adding, "Western leaders are lawyers and regulators. They try to avoid problems before they even arise." However, he also noted, "Every system has its pros and cons," identifying overcapacity in new industries as a weakness of China.

CEO Huang characterized Nvidia as "one of the most important technology companies in history," stating, "The technology we have spent 30 years developing is fundamentally changing all of computing. We are in the process of creating a completely new industry that produces digital intelligence."

Some critics argue that his investment of Nvidia's cash into AI companies, including his customers, is a risky circular transaction.

However, he countered that it is about planting seeds for a broader AI ecosystem and that Nvidia's investments, amounting to billions of dollars in a business worth hundreds of billions, have a minimal impact on overall demand.

He also stated that the world's digital infrastructure requires a "complete overhaul," adding, "It took computing 60 years to get here. It will take more than two years to modernize the world's computers."

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sharing a 'love shot' with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun at a chicken restaurant in Samsung-dong, Seoul, on the 30th. Yonhap News

Nvidia has grown by making successive bets on areas that other companies either did not see or were unwilling to risk. CEO Huang attributes this to his confidence in his ability to recognize technologies that can reshape the world order, stating, "It comes down to the ability to think by tracing back to the first fundamental principles."

He also cited his focus on work. He said, "I work from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to sleep. I have no hobbies. Everything comes down to, first, taking care of my family, and second, working 100%."

The FT touched upon his "star power," mentioning Jensen Huang's leather jacket, which has become his "personal brand" akin to Steve Jobs' turtleneck, and his "love shot" with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun over beer, which captivated the online world.