When It Hits the Fan - Sex, Spies and AI
In an increasingly hi-tech world, it's almost heartening to see a scandal as old as the hills making headlines around the world.
This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss the spectacular fallout from the Nvidia affair crisis. CEO Jensen Huang - just about the most important man in AI - has admitted being unfaithful to his wife, with a woman accused of being a Chinese spy.
His response has been remarkably retro - an old fashioned statement apologising to his wife, family and colleagues - as well as saying he's committed to supporting America's security. Can you imagine the work that went into getting those three short points just right?
David and Farzana say there are clues that suggest this statement has been ready to go 'for some time'. And they discuss how much leeway Jensen Huang will have due to his reputation before the crisis hit. He has a rockstar image, is adored by many and often portrayed as 'too big to fail'.
On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, the art of exit PR. When you've made millions and built a stellar career, you might hope to retire into the sunset with nice things being said about you. But what can you do if people insist on dragging up stuff from the past?
Shemara Wikramanayake is not getting it all her own way, as she steps down as CEO of Macquarie - the Australian firm that many people will forever associate with its former ownership of Thames Water. It seems you can't just say 'move on'.
And going back to spies - James Bond. Or rather the great PR skill of keeping something secret. With still no word on who will play 007, David and Farzana discuss the tactics they've had to use over the years to keep people guessing - whether it's a campaign, a launch or a highly sensitive job hire. Feigning ignorance is a good place to start.
Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4
Published on Wednesday, 11th November 2026.
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