Nvidia launches internal probe into CEO Jensen Huang's relationship with alleged Chinese spy
Nvidia said an independent committee will investigate whether the CEO's affair with a woman accused of Chinese intelligence work compromised company or national security.
Nvidia announced on Sunday that an internal investigation has been opened into chief executive Jensen Huang after he confirmed an extramarital relationship with a woman identified by The New York Times as a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. The review will be carried out by a committee of independent directors with outside counsel, and the board said it has "confidence in Jensen and his leadership team" and that Huang will remain in his role during the probe.
"While the board has no reason to believe that either national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, the board’s inquiry will examine all available information," the board of directors said.
The investigation follows reporting that the woman, named Alice Huang (also known as Huang Le), allegedly sought to cultivate close ties with Jensen Huang to obtain information about Nvidia's technology. The Chinese Embassy in Washington denied any spying allegations. Alice Huang’s employer, Megaspeed, is reported to be a major Nvidia customer, having purchased about $4.8 billion in equipment.
U.S. lawmakers from both parties have called for answers. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said the company and its board "owe Congress answers" and urged legislation to block advanced American technology from reaching China. Republican representatives John Moolenaar, Brian Mast and Rick Crawford said it is "vital that Congress determines the extent to which US national security has been placed at risk" and requested that Huang testify before the committee on November 18.
In an email to staff, Huang acknowledged the affair, stating, "I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did."
Nvidia, a leading supplier of AI chips used by firms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta and Google, has seen its market value fluctuate sharply amid broader political debates over AI regulation and export controls. The company previously faced a 15 percent tariff on certain chip sales to China announced by the administration of President Donald Trump, who has publicly expressed personal support for Huang, describing him as a "fine person" and an "honourable guy" when asked about the controversy.