Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits affair with woman suspected of being a Chinese spy
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Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has admitted an affair with Alice Huang, an executive at a Nvidia customer who US officials reportedly believe worked for Chinese intelligence. Nvidia's board has launched an independent investigation, and Huang remains CEO.
Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has admitted to an affair with a woman suspected of being a Chinese spy, and the company's board has opened an independent investigation. The suspicion comes from reports by The New York Times and the Financial Times, citing US officials. Neither outlet could reach the woman for comment, and the claims have not been proven.
The reports centre on Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen and executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed, a Nvidia customer. The New York Times reported in October that Megaspeed was under scrutiny over possibly steering barred advanced Nvidia chips to China. Later reports said US officials had intelligence that she worked for China's Ministry of State Security. The Chinese government called the New York Times report "groundless speculation".
In a memo to staff, Mr Huang said he was unfaithful to his wife, that there was "no excuse" and that he was "deeply sorry". He said he would cooperate fully with the investigation.
Nvidia said a committee of independent directors, assisted by outside counsel, will oversee the probe. It said the board had "no reason to believe" US national security or company secrets were compromised. Mr Huang stays on as CEO.
President Donald Trump said he had not spoken to Mr Huang about it and called him a "fine person". Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to comment. Top House Republicans have asked Mr Huang to brief Congress, and Democratic Senator Chris Coons has pledged an investigation.
