Nvidia probes whether CEO Jensen Huang targeted by foreign intelligence as
Listen to this article
Estimated 5 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Nvidia said on Sunday it is probing whether CEO Jensen Huang has been the target of a “foreign intelligence effort,” after a media report alleged he had a close relationship with a Chinese businesswoman who passed information to Beijing.
Huang admitted in a message to employees that he had been unfaithful to his wife and took “full responsibility” for his actions, while Nvidia said the CEO was committed to continuing to lead the company without interruption.
The developments are likely to pressure the chipmaker’s stock, which has already seen sharp declines recently amid worries about AI sustainability, and may also raise questions about Huang’s future at the helm of the company he co-founded.
The New York Times reported last month that Huang had a relationship with a former executive of a Singapore-based company whom U.S. authorities investigated and concluded was a Chinese intelligence asset.
“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 committee of independent directors, assisted by outside independent counsel, will oversee the investigation,” the company said.
Nvidia has had a dramatic rise. So how is a company that creates graphic chips now worth $3 trillion US? Andrew Chang explains Nvidia’s huge gamble and how it created an entirely new industry that could change the world.
The multinational tech company said on Sunday that while its board has no reason to believe that either U.S. national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, its inquiry will examine all available information.
The board has confidence in the CEO and his leadership team, Nvidia said, adding that Huang fully supports the review and has committed to co-operating with it.
‘He’s an honourable guy,’ Trump says
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he had not spoken to Huang about the allegations but called him a fine person.
“I hope everything’s fine. He’s done such an incredible job,” Trump added.
When asked if he believed he should have acted on intelligence when he was briefed about it, Trump said: “No, I don’t think so. I think he’s an honourable guy. I think he probably has an excuse for it. You have to hear it.”
Huang and U.S. President Donald Trump are shown in Washington on Oct. 8. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/The Associated Press)
The New York Times had reported that Trump was briefed about the intelligence findings roughly a year ago and chose not to do anything with the information.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to comment on Huang when asked by reporters on Sunday evening.
Nvidia probes whether CEO Jensen Huang targeted by foreign intelligence as