Nvidia is facing the biggest crisis in its 33 year history, with founder Jensen Huang resigning as CEO Thursday after admitting to having an affair with alleged Chinese spy Alice Huang, and accusations of two more affairs with employees inside his company. Now CFO Colette Kress has taken the helm as Nvidia’s interim CEO.
The implications of Jensen Huang’s affair with Alice Huang run far deeper than infidelity because her ties to Nvidia customer Megaspeed put her in the middle of a sprawling effort to accumulate AI chips across Southeast Asia. And Megaspeed is under investigation for possibly diverting restricted Nvidia chips into the hands of Chinese companies.
The relationship between Jensen Huang and Alice Huang dates back to 2023, according to The New York Times. It was a “turbulent” time for Nvidia, Jensen Huang told CNBC during an interview at the time, as the company navigated the first in a series of strict export controls the Biden administration placed on sending its most advanced chips to China.
On that same day we interviewed Jensen Huang in 2023, we also interviewed Huang’s direct report Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of healthcare, with whom Jensen Huang is accused of having an affair.
Three years later, the long-time Nvidia CEO and founder has resigned, and CNBC takes a look back at our interviews with Jensen Huang and other Nvidia executives to get a clear picture of where Nvidia stands today, and all it stands to lose.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
3:10 Before the fall of Jensen Huang
10:02 ChatGPT boom to China bans
13:45 China and other risks
Producer and Reporter: Katie Tarasov
Edited by: Erin Black
Camera: Andrew Evers
Senior Director of Video: Jeniece Pettitt
Animation: Jason Reginato, Emily Park
Additional Footage: AMD, Getty Images, ImageNet, Intel, MoMA, Nintendo, Nvidia, Stanford University, TSMC
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Nvidia In Crisis: The Rise Of Jensen Huang’s Empire At The Center Of The AI Boom
The implications of Jensen Huang’s affair with Alice Huang run far deeper than infidelity because her ties to Nvidia customer Megaspeed put her in the middle of a sprawling effort to accumulate AI chips across Southeast Asia. And Megaspeed is under investigation for possibly diverting restricted Nvidia chips into the hands of Chinese companies.
The relationship between Jensen Huang and Alice Huang dates back to 2023, according to The New York Times. It was a “turbulent” time for Nvidia, Jensen Huang told CNBC during an interview at the time, as the company navigated the first in a series of strict export controls the Biden administration placed on sending its most advanced chips to China.
On that same day we interviewed Jensen Huang in 2023, we also interviewed Huang’s direct report Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of healthcare, with whom Jensen Huang is accused of having an affair.
Three years later, the long-time Nvidia CEO and founder has resigned, and CNBC takes a look back at our interviews with Jensen Huang and other Nvidia executives to get a clear picture of where Nvidia stands today, and all it stands to lose.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
3:10 Before the fall of Jensen Huang
10:02 ChatGPT boom to China bans
13:45 China and other risks
Producer and Reporter: Katie Tarasov
Edited by: Erin Black
Camera: Andrew Evers
Senior Director of Video: Jeniece Pettitt
Animation: Jason Reginato, Emily Park
Additional Footage: AMD, Getty Images, ImageNet, Intel, MoMA, Nintendo, Nvidia, Stanford University, TSMC
» Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC
» Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision
About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more.
Want to get ahead at work? Then you need to learn how to make effective small talk. In CNBC’s new online course, How To Talk To People At Work, expert instructors teach you how to use everyday conversation to gain visibility, build meaningful relationships and advance your career. Sign up now: https://cnb.cx/4sGlSkh
Connect with CNBC News Online
Get the latest news: https://www.cnbc.com/
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Nvidia In Crisis: The Rise Of Jensen Huang’s Empire At The Center Of The AI Boom