Nvidia opens probe into whether CEO was targeted by Chinese intelligence

Nvidia has launched an independent investigation into whether chief executive Jensen Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation, after he acknowledged having an extramarital affair with a business executive whom US intelligence agencies reportedly suspected of gathering information for Beijing.

Nvidia has launched an independent investigation into whether chief executive Jensen Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation, after he acknowledged having an extramarital affair with a business executive whom US intelligence agencies reportedly suspected of gathering information for Beijing.

Huang admitted in a message to employees that he had been unfaithful to his wife and apologised to his family and colleagues. He said he had “fallen short” of his responsibilities and pledged to support the company’s investigation and protect US national security.

The message did not identify the woman. The New York Times named her as Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen and former senior executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed International. The two are not related, the newspaper reported.

According to the Times, US intelligence agencies determined that Alice Huang had been recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security and was gathering information on Jensen Huang and Nvidia’s business. The alleged operation was intended to obtain intelligence about the company’s advanced artificial intelligence chips and potentially influence its position on exports to China.

Nvidia’s board said it had “no reason to believe” that either national security or company secrets had been compromised, but that its independent inquiry would examine all available information. Huang has agreed to cooperate and will remain chief executive, the company said.

China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations, describing the claims of a Chinese spy operation as unsubstantiated and a smear against the country.

The allegations have drawn scrutiny from US lawmakers. The chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Select Committee on China and the House Intelligence Committee have asked Huang to attend a closed-door briefing on November 18 about his reported interactions with Alice Huang and Nvidia’s safeguards against foreign espionage. They asked him to accept the date or propose an alternative by November 11.

The case has also raised questions about US efforts to prevent advanced artificial intelligence chips from reaching China. Nvidia has argued that allowing some sales to Chinese customers would help US companies remain competitive, while Washington has imposed export restrictions on advanced semiconductors over national security concerns.

Alice Huang was previously a senior executive at Megaspeed, which has faced scrutiny over suspected shipments of advanced Nvidia chips to China. The New York Times reported that US intelligence agencies had been investigating her activities.

Separately, Bloomberg reported on Monday that Nvidia’s general counsel contacted a senior Commerce Department official in 2025 about a US investigation into suspected chip smuggling by Megaspeed. The matter was later transferred to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation, Bloomberg reported. Nvidia and Megaspeed have denied wrongdoing or any diversion of chips, according to previous company statements.

Nvidia shares fell more than 4 percent on Monday after the board announced its investigation.