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

BBC News •
November 12, 2026 • 05:54 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 resigned after publicly acknowledging 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.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

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Same Story from Other Publications

Compare how 6 other independent news outlets reported on this story.

6 Publications
The Guardian
16h 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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Hamro Patro News
2h ago
Nvidia scandal looms over US-China AI talks

Nvidia scandal looms over US-China AI talks

TOKYO, Nov 14: AI bots going rogue and humans using the technology for harm will likely be on the agenda when Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet next week, with the Nvidia scandal hanging over the ta...

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Sydney Morning Herald (SMH)
3h ago
Nvidia scandal raises new concerns about scale of Chinese spying

Nvidia scandal raises new concerns about scale of Chinese spying

China’s espionage efforts are intensifying in its backyard as Beijing continues to expand its military footprint in the South China Sea.

#china #nvidia
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ABC News Australia
11h ago
Questions left to answer in wake of Huang's departure

Questions left to answer in wake of Huang's departure

While Jensen Huang's resignation puts an end to his long reign over Nvidia, questions about America's national security and Donald Trump's knowledge of the whole saga remain.

#usa #nvidia
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CNBC World
11h ago
Trump doesn’t plan to raise Nvidia, spy issue during China trip: U.S. officials

Trump doesn’t plan to raise Nvidia, spy issue during China trip: U.S. officials

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigned this week after reports of multiple affairs, including one with a suspected Chinese spy, Alice Huang.

#china #nvidia
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TechCrunch
17h 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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