Nvidia has launched an independent investigation into whether chief executive Jensen Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation after he acknowledged having an affair with a woman reported to have links to Beijing’s security services.
The company’s board said a committee of independent directors, supported by external legal counsel, would oversee the inquiry. It said it had no reason at present to believe Nvidia’s trade secrets or US national security had been compromised.
Huang admitted in a message to staff that he had been unfaithful to his wife and apologised to his family, colleagues, the board, partners and shareholders. He said he supported the investigation and would co-operate fully.
US intelligence agencies are reported to believe that Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed, was an asset of China’s Ministry of State Security. The two are not related.
Megaspeed has been a major Nvidia customer in south-east Asia, and the company has bought billions of dollars’ worth of the American firm’s artificial intelligence chips. The allegations have raised questions over whether sensitive technology or information could have been exposed.
John Rizzo, Nvidia’s head of public policy communications, said the affair would not disrupt the company’s operations and that Jensen Huang remained committed to leading it as chief executive.
Three Republican chairmen in the US House of Representatives have also requested a closed-door briefing with Huang. John Moolenaar of the China committee, Brian Mast of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Rick Crawford of the Intelligence Committee asked him to appear on November 18, while requesting a response or alternative date by November 11.
The lawmakers said reports about Huang’s dealings with Alice Huang raised “significant national security concerns” over China’s access to sensitive US technology and information. They also want answers about Nvidia’s safeguards against espionage by foreign adversaries.
China has rejected the espionage allegations as groundless speculation. Huang is expected to remain in his role while Nvidia’s investigation continues.
