Nvidia probes whether Jensen Huang was targeted by Chinese intelligence after CEO admits affair
Nvidia's board has opened an independent investigation into reports that CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence effort. The inquiry follows news reports about Huang's relationship with a business executive whom US intelligence officials reportedly suspected of gathering information for China.
In a message to Nvidia employees, Huang acknowledged that he had been unfaithful to his wife and said he would cooperate with the investigation. He did not name the executive in his statement. Nvidia says it has no reason to believe national security or company secrets were compromised.
The claims about a foreign intelligence operation are allegations under investigation. Nvidia's board has not published a finding that an operation succeeded or that Huang shared protected information.
Image: NVIDIA
What Nvidia and Huang have confirmed
The board said on November 8 that a committee of independent directors, assisted by outside independent counsel, would oversee the inquiry and examine the available information. It said Huang had committed to cooperating and expressed confidence in him and his leadership team.
In his published message to the company, Huang apologized to his family and colleagues. He also referred to national security concerns raised in news reports and said he supported the board's review.
The Associated Press reported that Huang will remain CEO while the investigation proceeds. The company has not announced when the review will conclude.
Image: NVIDIA
What the reports allege
The New York Times reported, as summarized by the Associated Press, that US intelligence agencies believed Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Nvidia customer Megaspeed, had passed information to Beijing. The two Huangs are not related, according to that reporting. Jensen Huang's letter did not name her or address the reported intelligence ties.
China's foreign ministry rejected the spying allegations on November 9, according to a separate AP report. The allegations and the denial should not be treated as the outcome of Nvidia's inquiry.
The matter arrives as US restrictions on advanced chip exports to China remain a major issue for Nvidia. Reports about a possible intelligence effort are distinct from evidence that any particular policy decision was influenced or that sensitive data was disclosed.
