Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has proposed a new compensation model for engineers that includes AI “tokens” as part of their pay, reflecting a broader shift toward AI-driven productivity in the workplace.

Speaking at Nvidia’s annual GPU Technology Conference, Huang suggested that engineers could receive token budgets alongside their base salaries. These tokens, which represent units of compute used to run AI models and agents, would allow employees to deploy AI systems to automate tasks and enhance output.

Huang said engineers could earn several hundred thousand dollars in base pay, with an additional allocation of tokens valued at a significant portion of that salary. The tokens would effectively function as a productivity resource, enabling workers to scale their output by leveraging AI tools.

AI Agents Reshape Workflows

The proposal is tied to Huang’s vision of a future workplace where engineers oversee large networks of AI agents capable of executing complex, multi-step tasks. In this model, human workers act as supervisors, directing digital systems that handle coding, analysis, and other functions.

Huang has previously described a future in which Nvidia’s workforce includes far more AI agents than human employees. These systems would rely on software infrastructure, increasing demand for computing resources and development tools.

The concept aligns with a growing trend in the technology sector, where companies are integrating AI agents into everyday workflows. These systems can perform tasks such as writing code, analyzing data, and generating reports with minimal human input.

Industry observers note that this shift is changing how software is developed. Instead of writing code line by line, engineers increasingly describe desired outcomes in natural language, with AI systems generating and executing the underlying logic.

Labor Market Impact and Talent Shift

The rise of AI agents has intensified debate about the future of work. Some analysts warn that automation could displace a significant share of white-collar roles, particularly those involving repetitive or entry-level tasks.

Estimates suggest AI could automate up to a quarter of work hours in the United States, with potential productivity gains of around 15%. At the same time, companies face a “talent paradox,” where demand for AI-skilled workers is rising even as automation reduces the need for certain roles.

Entry-level positions are seen as particularly vulnerable, as AI systems increasingly handle foundational tasks that once served as training grounds for new employees. This could widen skill gaps and complicate workforce development.

Despite these concerns, economists point out that technological shifts historically create new categories of jobs, even as they eliminate others. Emerging roles related to AI management, oversight, and integration are expected to grow.

AI & Machine Learning, Enterprise Tech, News

Trevor Milton, the founder of bankrupt electric truck startup Nikola, is attempting a return to the technology sector with a new venture focused on artificial intelligence-powered aircraft.

Milton is seeking to raise $1 billion to fund the development of advanced business jets equipped with AI-driven flight systems. The effort follows his acquisition of SyberJet Aircraft, a struggling business jet manufacturer, as part of a broader plan to revive the company and reposition it around next-generation aviation technology.

The move comes after a turbulent period in Milton’s career. Nikola, once valued at $34 billion, collapsed after its products failed to reach commercial viability. Milton was convicted of fraud in 2022 and sentenced to four years in prison in 2023, but was later pardoned by former President Donald Trump before serving his sentence.

AI Aviation Ambitions

Milton’s new venture aims to build what he describes as a high-performance business jet with extended range and speed, supported by a newly designed avionics system centered on artificial intelligence. The system would be developed from the ground up, with the goal of enabling more autonomous flight capabilities.

According to reports, the company is exploring the concept of an “AI-first” aircraft, where software plays a central role in navigation, decision-making, and operational efficiency. Such capabilities could have applications beyond commercial aviation, including potential use in defense contracts.

To support the effort, Milton has recruited dozens of former Nikola engineers, leveraging existing technical talent familiar with complex systems development. The company is also engaging with potential investors in the United States and the Middle East, including outreach to Saudi-backed funding sources.

High Risk, Uncertain Outcome

Despite the ambition of the project, Milton has acknowledged the challenges involved. He reportedly described aircraft development as significantly more complex than his previous work in electric vehicles, highlighting the technical, regulatory, and financial barriers facing the venture.

Developing a new aircraft platform requires extensive certification, safety validation, and capital investment, often spanning many years before reaching commercial deployment. Integrating advanced AI systems into aviation further increases complexity, particularly given strict regulatory standards governing autonomous or semi-autonomous flight technologies.

Milton has indicated that the probability of success is low, underscoring the speculative nature of the initiative. The project also faces reputational challenges, given his prior conviction and the collapse of Nikola.

Still, the effort reflects a broader trend of applying artificial intelligence to transportation systems, including aviation. Companies and governments are increasingly exploring AI-driven automation to improve efficiency, reduce pilot workload, and enable new operational models.

AI & Machine Learning, Mobility & Transportation Tech, News

Meta is shutting down the virtual reality version of Horizon Worlds, marking a significant shift in its metaverse strategy as the company reallocates resources toward artificial intelligence.

The company said the Horizon Worlds app will be removed from the Quest VR store by the end of March and fully discontinued on VR devices by June 15. After that, the platform will continue to operate only as a mobile application.

Meta described the move as a strategic separation of platforms, allowing each to “grow with greater focus.” The decision effectively ends Horizon Worlds’ role as a flagship VR social experience, a position it held since Meta’s high-profile pivot to the metaverse in 2021.

Retreat From VR-Centric Metaverse Vision

Horizon Worlds was launched in late 2021 as a social platform where users could interact through avatars in virtual environments. It was designed to showcase the potential of immersive digital spaces powered by Meta’s Quest headsets.

However, adoption remained limited. The platform struggled to gain traction beyond a relatively small user base, with monthly active users reportedly staying in the hundreds of thousands. Broader consumer skepticism toward virtual reality, along with hardware limitations, slowed mainstream uptake.

Meta attempted to expand accessibility by launching a mobile version of Horizon Worlds in 2023. The app allowed users without VR headsets to participate in virtual environments, similar to platforms like Roblox. Despite this, engagement levels did not reach expectations.

The shutdown follows a series of cost-cutting measures within Reality Labs, Meta’s division responsible for virtual reality and metaverse development. The company recently laid off more than 1,000 employees in the unit, including teams working on first-party VR content.

Reality Labs has been a major financial burden for Meta, reporting multi-billion-dollar operating losses each quarter. In its most recent earnings report, the division posted a loss exceeding $6 billion for a single quarter.

Shift Toward AI and Platform Realignment

The decision to scale back Horizon Worlds underscores Meta’s broader pivot toward artificial intelligence, which has become a central focus across the technology sector.

While Meta is not abandoning VR entirely, it is restructuring its approach. The company said it will continue investing in the VR developer ecosystem while repositioning Horizon Worlds as a mobile-first experience.

Executives indicated that separating VR and mobile platforms will allow for more targeted development strategies. The mobile version is expected to serve as a more accessible entry point for users, potentially reaching a wider audience without requiring specialized hardware.

Meta’s evolving strategy reflects changing priorities within the company and across the industry. As generative AI gains momentum and attracts investment, companies are reassessing earlier bets on immersive virtual environments.

The shutdown of Horizon Worlds on VR highlights the challenges of building large-scale consumer platforms in emerging technologies. It also signals a shift in how Meta plans to balance its long-term ambitions between virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

AI & Machine Learning, Immersive Reality (AR, VR, MR, and XR), News