Nvidia Opens Independent Investigation After Reports CEO Jensen Huang Was Targeted by Foreign Intelligence

The update

Nvidia said on Sunday its board is initiating an independent investigation after reporting that founder and chief executive Jensen Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence effort. Independent directors with outside counsel will oversee it. In a message Nvidia published, Huang apologised to his family, saying he was unfaithful to his wife. TechCrunch reported the message admitted an affair with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Nvidia customer Megaspeed.

Why it matters

A memo circulated among United States policymakers earlier this year claimed, TechCrunch reported, that Alice Huang had been recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security to spy on Huang — an allegation not treated as proven. The Guardian reported top Republican House lawmakers have asked Huang to brief Congress this month about an October New York Times report alleging a businesswoman passed information to Beijing. Nvidia’s chips are central to the United States-China AI contest. The board said it has no reason to believe national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised.

What to watch

Whether the inquiry announces findings — no deadline was set on Sunday — and whether Huang gives the congressional briefing requested for this month. Huang fully supports the review, has committed to cooperating, and the board said it has confidence in him and his leadership team.

Sources

• theguardian.com — confirms the board investigation and the congressional briefing request.
• techcrunch.com — confirms Huang’s admission message and the board’s no-compromise position.

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