Technology giant and artificial chip manufacturer Nvidia says it is launching an independent investigation after a media report that its founder and CEO Jensen Huang had been the target of a foreign intelligence effort.
Top Republican members of Congress in the US House of Representatives have called on Mr Huang to brief Congress this month about a New York Times report in October alleging he had a close relationship with a Chinese businesswoman who passed information to Beijing.
The media outlet reported last month that US authorities were investigating Alice Huang, a former executive of Singapore-based company Megaspeed, which buys AI chips from Nvidia.
Jensen Huang and Megaspeed’s Alice Huang in Taipei in 2024, in an image shared to LinkedIn at the time by software company Net Thunder. (Supplied: NetThunder/LinkedIn)
US authorities have scrutinised Megaspeed over suspicions it helped Beijing gain access to advanced AI chips barred from shipment to China.
Nvidia said on Sunday, local time, that while its board had no reason to believe that either US national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, its inquiry would examine all available information.
“The NVIDIA Board is initiating an independent investigation in light of recent reporting that founder and CEO Jensen Huang has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort,” a statement said.
“A committee of independent directors, assisted by outside independent counsel, will oversee the investigation.”
Jensen Huang has forged a close working relationship with US President Donald Trump amid the country’s race to develop AI faster than China. (Reuters: Evan Vucci)
Mr Huang fully supports the review and has committed to cooperating with it, the company said.
Axios reported on Sunday, citing a draft email by Mr Huang to employees, that he admitted to having a romantic relationship with a suspected Chinese spy and took full responsibility for his actions.
“I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did,” Mr Huang said in the draft email seen by Reuters.
Addressing his colleagues, board, partners and shareholders, Mr Huang said: “My responsibility is to serve you and be worthy of your trust. I have fallen short of that responsibility. I am fully committed to NVIDIA and will work to earn back your confidence.”
An Nvidia spokesperson said Mr Huang was “committed to continuing to lead NVIDIA as CEO without interruption.”
Jensen Huang has previously pushed for a relaxation of US restrictions against Nvidia in the interest of accelerating the global adoption of its technology.
Jensen Huang’s memo to staff
I owe my family and all of you an apology.
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.
Throughout my life, my family has given me love and support. They deserve my honesty and loyalty. Instead, I let them down and damaged the life we built together. I take full responsibility for what I did and the hurt I caused, and I accept the criticism that comes with it.
To my wife and family: I love you. I know an apology cannot undo what I have done. I hope our family will heal and that, over time, I can earn back your trust.
To my colleagues at NVIDIA, including those I have worked alongside for decades, and to our board, partners, and shareholders around the world: you deserve better from me.
Leading NVIDIA is the privilege of my life. My responsibility is to serve you and be worthy of your trust. I have fallen short of that responsibility. I am fully committed to NVIDIA and will work to earn back your confidence.
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. I love our country and our company, and I am committed to protecting NVIDIA and supporting America’s national security. I am proud and grateful to be an American.
My family bears no responsibility for my choices. I do. Please give them privacy.
Jensen Huang
Source: Bloomberg
Who is Jensen Huang?
Mr Huang is a central figure in the global push toward AI development, and has forced a close working relationship with United States President Donald Trump.
He has previously encouraged the White House to lift restrictions on the sale of advanced AI chips to China, arguing the measures accelerate Beijing’s own development of the technology.
Nvidia is valued at about $US5.4 trillion ($7.7 trillion), making it the world’s most valuable company as demand for AI hardware and data centres has skyrocketed.
Mr Huang was born in Taiwan and raised in Thailand before he emigrated alone to the US to attend a boarding school at the age of 10.
He has previously described AI as the world’s next industrial revolution and argues that whichever country has its technology adopted the most worldwide will win the AI race.
ABC/Reuters