Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang declines Senate testimony on AI, China and exports

Jensen Huang, the CEO of Nvidia, has chosen not to attend a Senate Banking Committee hearing this Thursday, where he was invited by Senator Elizabeth Warren. The hearing is part of an intensified examination of Nvidia's business operations in China and its significant role in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. This decision means that one of the leading figures in artificial intelligence will miss an opportunity to address critical issues surrounding American AI growth, innovation, and global technological leadership. Senator Warren, representing Massachusetts, expressed her disappointment, emphasizing that the public deserves transparency on matters related to AI, economic competition, and national security. "If Mr. Huang can participate in a high-profile fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago and travel to meet with President Xi Jinping, he should also be able to respond to questions from Congress," Warren remarked in her statement. In his correspondence with Warren, Huang explained his inability to participate in the session titled "AI and the American Dream: Promoting Innovation, Affordability, and American Dominance." However, he acknowledged the committee's focus on these pressing issues. He noted that Nvidia has been a pioneer in AI, having delivered its first AI supercomputer to American researchers over a decade ago. Huang expressed confidence in the American leadership in AI technologies, stating that it should not be taken for granted. He extended an invitation for Warren and other committee members to visit Nvidia's headquarters in Santa Clara, California, to discuss the company's contributions to the AI sector and support for U.S. technological advancement.