Ex-Nvidia chief called to testify before senate

Former Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang was called on Friday to testify before a Senate committee next month over allegations of an affair with a woman suspected of working as a Chinese spy.

Huang unexpectedly stepped down on Thursday from his position at one of the world's most valuable companies following reports of alleged extramarital relationships.

His sudden departure has sparked widespread controversy across Silicon Valley.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has also been asked to appear before the Senate Banking Committee in December amid growing scrutiny over shipments of Nvidia's advanced AI chips to China.

The controversy has wiped approximately $550 billion from Nvidia's market value over the past five days.

Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina sent letters to Huang and Lutnick on Thursday, formally requesting their testimony before the committee.

In a statement shared on X, Scott expressed concern about the potential implications for US national security and the safeguarding of sensitive American technology, stressing that the public deserved an explanation.

"Recent reports raise serious concerns about our national security and the protection of sensitive US technology. I am requesting that NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testify before the Senate Banking Committee,” the committee’s chairman Tim Scott posted on US social media company X.

Scott invited Huang to testify voluntarily on Dec. 3 but cautioned that the committee could issue a subpoena if he declined to appear.