Is Nvidia's Jensen Huang too big to fail? Why a replacement is difficult and the impact on AI

Most affairs of the heart are kept private. But for Nvidia founder Jensen Huang, his secret relationship has become public and that could have a global impact on artificial intelligence, as he is being investigated over his relationship with an alleged Chinese spy and whether he disclosed confidential intellectual property.Nvidia designs the world’s most powerful chips and has become an AI infrastructure company, reaching its arm into robotics as well as autonomous driving. Nvidia has also invested in many AI companies across the world, including in Europe. The chips that it produces run AI systems and have become an important front for the United States’ rivalry with China to lead in technology, with Washington even restricting access to the chips for Beijing. Huang had lobbied for the US to relax its chip export rules to China. "Nvidia is kind of at the base of [the AI ecosystem]," said Carmem Domingues, a former White House Senior AI Advisor to the Biden administration. "All the AI companies either owe money to NVIDIA and/or depend on them to actually run the models and continue developing and growing their businesses," she told Euronews Next. A new leader?As Nvidia’s board reportedly considers ousting him, there are questions over whether the saga could bring about another 2008-style financial crisis and who could replace him.Huang is Nvidia…