BEIJING, CHINA – MAY 14: NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang waves as he prepares to depart from the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has been invited to testify before the Senate Banking Committee on June 11, as Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren zeroes in on the company’s sales in China, export controls and its role at the center of the global AI boom.
“Appearing as a witness provides an opportunity to testify regarding NVIDIA’s views regarding U.S. export control laws and regulations and NVIDIA’s operations in China,” Warren wrote in the letter, which was first obtained by CNBC. She asked Mr. Huang to confirm his attendance by Monday.
Nvidia’s chips power many data centers behind advanced AI models, making the company one of the biggest winners in the surge in artificial intelligence. But its advantages have also attracted the attention of lawmakers and national security officials, who warn that America’s advanced chips could be used to enhance China’s military and surveillance capabilities.
Both the Biden and Trump administrations have moved to restrict China’s access to advanced AI chips, but Nvidia argues that restrictions that are too broad could hurt U.S. competitiveness and drive customers to foreign alternatives.
The Senate’s move echoes that of Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who are calling for a separate investigation into China’s efforts to thwart U.S. AI and data center development.
Warren previewed her concerns Wednesday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” saying she is concerned that American companies are profiting from selling technology that could weaken U.S. national security.
“In effect, China is buying our products and American companies are profiting from it,” Warren said. “But it certainly compromises our long-term security.”
He said the concerns are particularly acute because the chips in question are “not just chips to support the AI industry in general.”
“In China, these chips are actually used for military purposes,” Warren said.
The hearing will be a rare opportunity for Hwang to directly ask senators about Nvidia’s China strategy and export control stance, just weeks after accompanying President Donald Trump for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Warren is also trying to expand the AI conversation beyond China and national security.
In the same CNBC interview, she warned that AI could cause major disruptions for workers and called for an excise tax on data centers to cover the cost of health care, child care, education, and job training.
“We’re talking about a huge disruption in an unpredictable way,” Warren said. “Now is the time to go beyond that.”
