Nvidia has announced the launch of an independent investigation into its founder and CEO, Jensen Huang, following reports that he was the target of a foreign intelligence operation. The probe, which will be overseen by a committee of independent directors and assisted by outside counsel, comes as the tech giant faces mounting pressure from US lawmakers over alleged security breaches.
The controversy centers on an October report by The New York Times, which detailed a close relationship between Mr. Huang and a Chinese businesswoman, Alice Huang. Alice Huang is a former executive at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based firm that serves as a key purchaser of Nvidia’s advanced artificial intelligence chips. US authorities are currently investigating Megaspeed amid suspicions that the company acted as a conduit for Beijing to bypass strict US export controls on high-end AI hardware.
While the Nvidia board stated it has “no reason to believe that either US national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised,” the situation has sparked alarm in Washington. High-ranking Republican members of the US House of Representatives have formally demanded that Mr. Huang brief Congress this month regarding his connections to the businesswoman and the potential implications for national security.
In a draft email to staff seen by Reuters, Mr. Huang addressed the scandal directly, admitting to a romantic relationship with the woman at the center of the probe. “I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did,” the CEO wrote. While acknowledging his personal failure, Mr. Huang struck a defiant tone regarding his leadership, stating he is fully committed to the company and intends to cooperate with the investigation to “earn back the confidence” of shareholders and partners.
An Nvidia spokesperson confirmed that Mr. Huang remains in his position and is expected to lead the company without interruption.
Jensen Huang is a pivotal figure in the global race for technological supremacy. As the head of the world’s most valuable company—now worth approximately $5.4 trillion—he has frequently advised the Trump administration on the risks and opportunities of the AI industry. Notably, Mr. Huang has previously lobbied the White House to relax restrictions on chip sales to China, arguing that such measures ultimately hinder American progress by forcing other nations to accelerate their own indigenous AI development.
The investigation marks a period of significant instability for the chipmaker, which sits at the heart of the current “industrial revolution” of artificial intelligence. As federal investigators deepen their probe into Megaspeed’s supply chain, the scrutiny on Mr. Huang represents one of the most significant national security challenges to date for the Silicon Valley titan. Mr. Huang has pledged full transparency with the board’s inquiry, declaring, “I love our country and our company, and I am committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting America’s national security.”
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