Nvidia to Probe Alleged Contact Between Jensen Huang and Chinese Spies: "No Change in CEO"

Board Forms Special Committee to Investigate
"No Reason to Believe National Security or Company Secrets Were Compromised"

Reuters-Yonhap News Agency

Nvidia’s board of directors said it would launch an internal investigation into recently surfaced allegations that CEO Jensen Huang had been in contact with Chinese spies. Huang will continue to lead the company, with no change in CEO, while the investigation is underway.

According to The New York Times (NYT) on Nov. 8 local time, Nvidia’s board said that it would establish a special committee made up of independent directors to determine whether Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence agency, and launch an internal investigation with outside legal experts. The allegations gained traction after U.S. intelligence officials raised the possibility that Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based semiconductor distributor Megaspeed International, had been a Chinese spy. Rumors of an affair between her and Huang had surfaced earlier.

The U.S. government is reportedly suspicious that Alice Huang may have been recruited by Chinese intelligence agencies. Megaspeed has faced allegations that it violated U.S. semiconductor export controls and smuggled Nvidia chips into China. The incident is expected to prompt even greater scrutiny of Nvidia’s China business and technology management.

Huang previously denied that his relationship with the woman went beyond a normal business relationship. However, in an internal memo sent to employees the previous day, he admitted to having an affair. Huang said, "I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt my wife and children, and there is no excuse for them," and added, "I deeply regret what I did and will work to regain the trust of my family, employees and shareholders."

Nvidia’s board said, "There is no reason to believe that national security or company secrets have been compromised," and added that it would "review all relevant information." It also emphasized, "CEO Huang has said he will fully cooperate with the investigation and will remain in his role until the results are available." However, the NYT added that resolving the allegations is expected to be difficult, as U.S. authorities and Congress have both signaled that they intend to question Huang.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.