Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang investigation over alleged relationship with suspected Chinese spy, Digi Mart USA News: US tech giant Nvidia has opened an independent investigation following reports that its CEO, Jensen Huang, had a relationship with a suspected Chinese spy. The company, one of the most valuable in the world, said its board had no reason to believe the company’s secrets or national security were compromised, and that the CEO remains committed to leading the company.
Separately, Jensen Huang admitted to having been “unfaithful” to his wife and apologized for hurting her and their children. US intelligence officials believed that Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang, who had a close relationship with Jensen Huang, was a spy for Beijing, according to a New York Times report.
Jensen Huang said he took “full responsibility” for what he did and acknowledged that he had fallen short of his responsibilities to Nvidia’s employees, board and shareholders. Nvidia is one of the world’s largest companies and is seen as central to making the hardware for emerging AI technologies.
Huang has led the company for more than 30 years.
In his statement, Huang said: “I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children.
There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry.” He added: “Regarding the national security concerns raised in news reports, Nvidia’s Board of Directors has initiated an independent investigation.
I support the investigation and will cooperate fully.” He also said: “I love our country and our company. I am committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting America’s national security.
I am proud and grateful to be an American.”
A separate statement from Nvidia’s board said it would begin an investigation in “light of recent reporting that founder and CEO Jensen Huang has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort.” The board said it prioritizes US national and economic security, which it described as paramount to the interests of Nvidia and its shareholders. It added that while it has no reason to believe national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, its inquiry will examine all available information.
Jensen Huang rescued Nvidia from nearly going broke on more than one occasion, and he invested in AI long before much of the world did. His decision to adapt Nvidia chips, originally designed for gaming, for AI development has paid off substantially, and the company is now worth trillions.
The reports are a significant blow for a man known as a workaholic and a perfectionist who expects very high standards from his staff.
Alice Huang, who is not related to Jensen Huang, is linked to Singapore-based data centre firm Megaspeed. The company told the New York Times last month that its current leadership took the allegations seriously and had appointed external legal advisers to conduct an internal investigation.
Nvidia is a central player in AI infrastructure, supplying chips to leading AI model developers including OpenAI and Meta. The chipmaker is worth some $4.5 trillion, making it one of the most valuable companies ever.
China has previously rejected allegations of an espionage operation targeting Nvidia’s chief, describing the claims as “groundless speculation.” According to unnamed sources cited by The New York Times, US intelligence agencies had been monitoring Alice Huang and concluded she was acting on behalf of the Chinese government. Surveillance reportedly revealed communications between Alice Huang and an American citizen, who was later identified as Jensen Huang through a process known as “unmasking.”
It remains unclear what information Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, allegedly passed to Beijing, how valuable it was, or when she is believed to have begun gathering intelligence. Alice Huang did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment.
Last week, members of Congress wrote to Jensen Huang asking him to appear before them in light of the reported relationship. Three House Republican committee leaders asked the CEO to appear later in the month to discuss Nvidia’s “security protocols against foreign adversary espionage.” Their letter said: “Recent reports raise significant national security concerns regarding the PRC’s [China’s] access to sensitive US technology and information.
The issue of PRC infiltration and access to cutting-edge US technology is core to the investigative work of our three committees this Congress.”
Nvidia’s AI chips have been a major focus of the rivalry between the US and China, and Washington has previously imposed controls on where its advanced products can be sold. The H200, Nvidia’s second most advanced semiconductor, had previously been restricted by Washington over concerns that it would give China’s technology industry an edge over the US.
In January, the Trump administration said it would allow the company to sell its H200 chips to Chinese customers under certain conditions.
