Nvidia Board Launches Investigation After Reports on CEO Jensen Huang
The chipmaker is examining reports that its founder was targeted by Chinese intelligence, following disclosures about his relationship with a Singapore-based executive.
By Jonathan Reed ·
Nvidia has been a central player in the global artificial intelligence market for several years. On Sunday, the company's board of directors announced it is opening an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding CEO Jensen Huang.
The move follows reports from The New York Times and the Financial Times. Those outlets stated that Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence operation. The reports identified Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman, as a key figure in the matter. She has no familial relationship with the Nvidia chief.
According to the media reports, Alice Huang ran a Singapore-based company that purchased advanced chips from Nvidia. U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly monitored her activities. The agencies concluded that she had been recruited by China's main intelligence service. The New York Times reported that concerns about the situation reached Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In a statement, Nvidia said the investigation will be overseen by a committee of independent directors. The committee is working with outside legal counsel. The company stated that it prioritizes the national and economic security of the United States. These interests are fundamental to Nvidia and its shareholders.
The chipmaker added that it has no reason to believe national security or corporate secrets have been compromised. However, the review will examine all available information. A company spokesperson told NBC News that the news will not slow the company down. The spokesperson said Huang is committed to leading Nvidia as CEO without interruption.
Huang addressed the issue directly in a memo shared with employees. He acknowledged a personal relationship with Alice Huang. In the memo, he wrote that he was unfaithful to his wife. He stated that his actions hurt his wife and their children, and that there is no excuse for what he did.
The CEO also addressed his family and colleagues in the document. He told his wife and children that he loves them. He expressed hope that the family can heal and that he can regain their trust over time. To his colleagues, partners, and shareholders, he said they deserve better. He described leading Nvidia as the privilege of his life and stated he is fully committed to the company.
Before the recent reports, the U.S. government had concerns regarding the sale of Nvidia's most advanced chips to China due to national security worries. Huang has frequently appeared alongside President Donald Trump and other world leaders to promote AI growth. On Friday, following the Financial Times report, Nvidia declined to comment on the relationship. It noted that Huang meets with thousands of client executives each year, a standard practice for chief executives.
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