As Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang has a stark message: in order to save you, AI must inflict terrible pain first. This accelerationist view, reminiscent of Thanos’ philosophy, suggests that the environmental and social costs of AI are unavoidable.

But Huang’s privilege is clear. He speaks of ‘hurting you’ with a net worth of $192.6 billion, while the very people suffering from climate change—like the millions facing more frequent wildfires—will bear the brunt. His comments ignore the urgency and scale of the climate crisis, with Earth losing 99% of its coral reefs and millions at risk from sea level rise.

While Huang advocates for fossil fuel usage now, the world’s countries agreed to drastically cut emissions by 2030. Delaying this transition, as Huang suggests, is not just unethical; it’s a betrayal of the planet’s future. Wildfires, already more frequent and intense, show the real-world consequences of inaction.

Huang’s comments also highlight the disparity in how climate change affects different communities. His own property, bought before the Maui wildfires, underscores the stark divide between the rich and the poor. The same can be said for the broader narrative of AI progress: while billionaires like Huang benefit, the communities affected by environmental degradation are left to bear the cost.