US officials probe alleged Chinese spy's contact with Nvidia CEO
US intelligence agencies are examining whether a senior executive at Singaporean firm Megaspeed, alleged to have ties to Chinese intelligence, was seeking influence over Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
US intelligence officials are investigating claims that Alice Huang, a senior executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed, attempted to cultivate a relationship with Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang to obtain information for Beijing. The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump was briefed on the matter.
Photographs show Jensen Huang and Alice Huang together at trade-show events, dinners and gatherings in Taiwan. A short-selling firm earlier this year described the two as “very close.”
"Jensen’s interactions with Ms Huang are not unusual or unexpected," a Nvidia spokesperson said.
Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen, previously worked for a Chinese state media outlet and a Shanghai investment firm before joining Megaspeed, which purchases large volumes of Nvidia’s AI processors for its data-centre operations in Southeast Asia. US and Singaporean authorities are reviewing whether Megaspeed may have facilitated the circumvention of US export controls on advanced AI chips.
"Claims that Megaspeed had been funnelling chips to China have been thoroughly investigated and debunked," the Nvidia spokesperson added.
Nvidia has been barred from selling its most advanced chips to China under US export rules, though a partial reversal in January allowed sales of less powerful AI technology subject to a 25% tariff on Chinese customers. Jensen Huang has publicly criticized the curbs, arguing they harm US chipmakers and encourage Chinese firms to pursue similar technology.
"Megaspeed has been no different than many other regional cloud customers. Meetings with customers are part of a CEO’s job; Jensen talks with thousands of customer executives every year. Our regional cloud customers receive ordinary business information – not sensitive Nvidia trade secrets – and zero information relevant to national security," the spokesperson said.
Megaspeed maintains that it complies with all applicable laws and denied any wrongdoing. Alice Huang could not be reached for comment.