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BBC Audio | The Global Story | Why the Nvidia scandal is bigger than one tech CEO’s affair

BBC News •
November 12, 2026 • 01:52 PM
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Are China’s AI ambitions turning into an espionage war?

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China appears determined to acquire America’s most advanced computing technology – but how far might it go to get it?

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has publicly acknowledged having an affair, amid reports raising questions about whether the woman involved had links to Chinese intelligence. Nvidia’s board said it has no reason to believe company secrets or national security have been compromised, though it’s launched an independent investigation into the matter. The revelations have also raised broader questions about China’s longstanding efforts to acquire American technology, including through espionage.

On The Global Story, host Asma Khalid speaks to Randy Schriver and Mike Kuiken of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission about the national security implications – and what the Nvidia scandal could mean for America’s approach to selling advanced chips to China. Plus, BBC economics editor Faisal Islam offers a behind-the-scenes look at Jensen Huang, the man at the centre of it all, and his extraordinary influence over the global AI race.

Producers: Cat Farnsworth and Xandra Ellin

Photo: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at the "Winning the AI Race" Summit in Washington, D.C, July 23, 2025. Credit: Reuters.

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Same Story from Other Publications

Compare how 5 other independent news outlets reported on this story.

5 Publications
The Guardian
2h ago
Trump bought up Nvidia stock as he decided on policy that would benefit chipmaker

Trump bought up Nvidia stock as he decided on policy that would benefit chipmaker

President purchased up to $5m of stock before revoking Biden-era rule that limited Nvidia’s ability to sell to China

#china #usa #nvidia
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TechCrunch
3h ago
Export-banned Nvidia chips are behind China's most powerful AI models—uh oh, Jensen! | TechCrunch

Export-banned Nvidia chips are behind China's most powerful AI models—uh oh, Jensen! | TechCrunch

New research shows the most advanced AI models from China were trained on banned Nvidia chips.

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The Next Web (TNW)
5h ago
Bessent says anyone at Nvidia should answer for chips reaching China

Bessent says anyone at Nvidia should answer for chips reaching China

“Did Nvidia know their client?” Bessent asks, saying anyone at the company should be held accountable for chips leaking to China.

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Rest of World
5h ago
How Jensen Huang’s exit from Nvidia impacts China’s AI supply chain

How Jensen Huang’s exit from Nvidia impacts China’s AI supply chain

The founder’s stunning departure removes Beijing’s biggest advocate in Silicon Valley, accelerates chip stockpiling, and leaves Asian suppliers bracing for what comes next.

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CNBC World
10h ago
Nvidia scandal draws in Commerce Secretary Lutnick, who reportedly agrees to testify about China chip sales

Nvidia scandal draws in Commerce Secretary Lutnick, who reportedly agrees to testify about China chip sales

Commerce Secretary Lutnick will testify before the Senate Banking Committee following revelations about Jensen Huang's affair with an alleged Chinese spy.

#china #nvidia
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