The CEO, the Spy, and a Crisis for AI

The CEO of Nvidia, Jensen Huang, found himself in a crisis involving two affairs with individuals who were suspiciously linked to China. Despite the first affair being with a Chinese spy, company leaders such as Elon Musk, President Trump, and hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman continued to downplay the scandal, claiming Huang was irreplaceable and likely had an excuse for his actions.

Huang's situation worsened when it was revealed he had a second affair with an executive who reported directly to him. Nvidia's board was forced to consider his future, a move that could have significant implications for the AI industry and the U.S. economy. Charlie Warzel, an Atlantic staff writer, and Shane Harris, a staff writer covering intelligence agencies, discuss the potential espionage and the possibility of what the future might hold for Nvidia and the AI boom without its leader during a recent episode of Radio Atlantic.