Nvidia investigates whether CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by foreign intelligence

A committee of independent directors, assisted by outside counsel, will oversee the investigation, according to a statement from Nvidia’s board. The board says it has no reason to believe that national security or Nvidia’s trade secrets have been compromised, but that the investigation will examine all available information. It also says it has confidence in Huang and his leadership team.

Huang himself addressed the matter in an email to Nvidia’s employees on Sunday. He apologised for having been unfaithful to his wife, and said he takes full responsibility and will work to earn back his colleagues’ confidence.

“Regarding the national security concerns raised in news reports, NVIDIA’s Board of Directors has initiated an independent investigation. I support the investigation and will cooperate fully,” he wrote.

Neither statement names the person involved. The New York Times has reported that US intelligence agencies concluded that an executive Huang had a relationship with was passing information to Beijing. According to the NYT, as cited by AP, she works at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed, which has bought Nvidia chips worth more than USD 4.8 billion over the past two years.

The investigation comes at a sensitive time for Nvidia. Its most advanced AI chips are subject to US export controls on China, and the company has been at the centre of Washington’s efforts to limit Chinese access to them.