Nvidia affair exposes how little scrutiny tech leaders face

An affair involving Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has become a test of how much scrutiny powerful technology leaders face. The Guardian columnist argues that the episode, alongside Nvidia’s central role in artificial intelligence and reported concerns about national security, shows how influential technology companies may escape consequences that would apply to others.

The article says Nvidia lost more than $400bn in market value over two days after the affair became public; it alleges the woman is strongly suspected by the US government of being a Chinese spy. It notes that Huang’s company makes the chips underpinning AI, that the US has restricted China’s access to its most advanced chips, and that Nvidia’s board said it had no reason to believe national security or company secrets were compromised. The article also points to Huang’s political and business influence, including a reported contribution of at least $20m to Donald Trump’s ballroom project.