Fake NVIDIA Livestream Draws 100,000 Viewers — Deepfake Jensen Huang and Crypto Scam Explained

A fake NVIDIA livestream featuring an AI-generated Jensen Huang drew 100,000 viewers. Learn how deepfakes and crypto scams duped audiences—and how to stay safe.

A fake NVIDIA livestream featuring an AI-generated version of CEO Jensen Huang pulled in roughly 100,000 live viewers — far eclipsing the real GPU Technology Conference (GTC) keynote, which had about 20,000 concurrent viewers. Reported by PC Gamer and covered by Engadget, the incident highlights how convincing deepfakes and fake livestreams are becoming, and how dangerous they can be when paired with crypto scams.

The imposter Huang promoted a bogus “crypto mass adoption event” and urged viewers to scan a QR code to send cryptocurrencies, pitching it as a way to “accelerate human progress.” The fake video has since been deleted, but not before drawing attention to how AI-generated likenesses can be used to manipulate audiences during live events. It’s especially worrying because Huang’s abundant on-stage footage makes him an easy target for training AI-generated avatars.

There are still many unknowns. We don’t know whether the 100,000 accounts were tied to real people, bots, or short-lived viewers drawn in by promotional tactics. The authentic NVIDIA stream later accumulated about 200,000 views overall, showing the official content’s reach despite lower live numbers. That contrast raises questions about platform moderation, discoverability, and how malicious streams can hijack audience attention during high-profile events.

This episode isn’t isolated. Earlier incidents, like AI-generated videos using Sam Altman’s likeness in the Sora 2 video generator, show how quickly AI tools enable realistic fake content. Bad actors can synthesize CEOs saying absurd or harmful things, and when paired with QR codes or crypto wallet addresses, these deepfake streams become direct financial threats.

What can viewers and organizers do? First, always verify livestreams via official channels — company websites, verified social accounts, and known event pages. Be extremely cautious before scanning QR codes or sending cryptocurrency; legitimate corporate events will never request direct crypto transfers for partnerships or “accelerating progress.” Platforms must improve real-time detection of deepfakes and enforce stronger authentication for official event streams.

The fake NVIDIA livestream is a clear wake-up call: AI-generated video and deepfake technology are maturing fast, and their misuse can scale quickly. Audiences should stay skeptical, platforms should bolster verification, and companies should secure their likenesses and broadcast channels to prevent future scams.

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