Nvidia board opens independent probe into CEO Jensen Huang's ties to possible Chinese spy
The board of US chipmaker Nvidia announced on Sunday an independent investigation after reports that CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by a Chinese spy operation. Huang admitted to infidelity and apologized to staff.
The board of directors of Nvidia, the US maker of AI chips, announced on Sunday, November 8, that it is launching an independent investigation following reports that CEO Jensen Huang was the target of a Chinese spy operation. Because Nvidia's chips are a central focus of the AI competition between the United States and China, the question of any influence on the company's leadership is drawing particular attention.
The announcement came with a message Huang sent to employees. In it he admitted to an affair with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based chip company Megaspeed, though he did not name her. A memo that circulated among US policymakers earlier this year claimed that Alice Huang had been recruited by China's Ministry of State Security to spy on Nvidia's chief executive.
"I owe my family and all of you an apology," Huang wrote. "I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did." He added that he had "fallen short" of his responsibility to the company, telling colleagues, the board, partners and shareholders that they deserve better from him.
The board's position
The board said it has "no reason to believe" that national security or company secrets were compromised. According to the board, Huang fully supports the review and has committed to cooperating, and the board has confidence in him and his leadership team. The investigation will be run by independent directors working with outside legal counsel.
Earlier, responding to previous reports about the relationship, Nvidia had said the pair's interactions were "not unusual" and that the company does not share classified information with customers.
The report also notes that other companies involved in the AI boom have warned employees to be wary of possible spies, including those who offer sex or romance. Huang also appears to have a close relationship with US President Donald Trump, who has been a supporter of the AI industry.
