US technology giant Nvidia has launched an independent investigation into reports that its chief executive, Jensen Huang, had a relationship with a Chinese businesswoman suspected by American intelligence officials of working for Beijing.
The company’s board announced the inquiry following reports that Huang had been linked to Alice Huang, a businesswoman allegedly suspected of conducting intelligence activities on behalf of the Chinese government.
Nvidia, however, said the board had no reason to believe that the company’s confidential information or US national security had been compromised.
In a separate statement, Jensen Huang admitted being unfaithful to his wife and apologised to her and their children, saying his actions had caused them pain.
“I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry,” he said.
The Nvidia boss also accepted responsibility for his conduct, acknowledging that he had fallen short of his obligations to the company’s employees, board and shareholders.
Addressing the espionage allegations, Huang said he supported the board’s investigation and would cooperate fully.
“I love our country and our company. I am committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting America’s national security. I am proud and grateful to be an American,” he added.
The company’s board said the investigation was prompted by recent reports suggesting that its founder and chief executive had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.
It stressed that protecting US national and economic security remained a priority, adding that the inquiry would examine all available information.
Alice Huang, who is not related to the Nvidia chief, has been linked to Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed.
The New York Times reported that US intelligence officials had monitored her activities and believed she was acting on behalf of the Chinese government. The report said communications between her and an American citizen were identified through surveillance, with the individual later identified as Jensen Huang.
However, it remains unclear what information she allegedly passed to Beijing, how sensitive it was or when she may have begun gathering intelligence.
Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment.
Megaspeed had previously told the publication that its current leadership took the allegations seriously and had appointed external legal advisers to conduct an internal investigation.
The controversy has also attracted attention from US lawmakers. Three Republican committee leaders in the House of Representatives reportedly wrote to Jensen Huang last week, requesting that he appear before them later this month.
They said they wanted to discuss Nvidia’s security measures against foreign espionage, citing concerns about China’s potential access to sensitive American technology and information.
The lawmakers described foreign infiltration of the US technology sector as a major national security concern and said the matter fell within the investigative responsibilities of their committees.
Nvidia occupies a central position in the global artificial intelligence industry, supplying advanced chips used by major technology companies and AI developers, including OpenAI and Meta.
Its products have also become a major focus of the technological rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
The United States has previously restricted the sale of some advanced Nvidia chips to China over concerns that access to the technology could strengthen Beijing’s technological and military capabilities.
In January, the Trump administration announced that Nvidia would be permitted to sell its H200 chips to Chinese customers under specified conditions.
China has rejected allegations of an espionage operation targeting the Nvidia chief, describing the claims as groundless speculation.
