Nvidia Board Probes Allegations Chinese Intelligence Cultivated Relationship with CEO Jensen Huang Amid Growing US National Security Concerns

Nvidia’s board of directors has launched an independent investigation into reports that Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation, as growing congressional scrutiny raises questions about potential national security risks and the company’s safeguards against foreign espionage.

The investigation follows an October report by The New York Times alleging that US officials had identified Alice Huang, a businesswoman associated with Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed, as a Chinese intelligence asset who cultivated a close personal relationship with the Nvidia chief executive. US officials also suspected that she helped facilitate the transfer of advanced Nvidia chips to China, according to the newspaper.

The allegations have placed renewed attention on Nvidia, the world’s leading artificial intelligence chipmaker, whose advanced processors are central to the global competition between Washington and Beijing over artificial intelligence and military technology.

In a Sunday message to employees obtained by The Asia Live, Jensen Huang apologised for being unfaithful to his wife and pledged to cooperate fully with the board’s investigation. The personal message was separate from the company’s public announcement and did not identify Alice Huang by name.

“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,” Huang wrote.

Despite the controversy, Nvidia indicated that the allegations would not disrupt its leadership or business operations.

“Today’s news will not slow NVIDIA,” the company said in a statement responding to a request for comment. “Jensen is committed to continuing to lead NVIDIA as CEO without interruption.”

The company’s board said a committee comprising independent directors, supported by outside independent legal counsel, would oversee the inquiry. Jensen Huang has expressed support for the review, while the board reaffirmed its confidence in him and the wider leadership team.

“While the Board has no reason to believe that either national security or NVIDIA secrets were compromised, the Board’s inquiry will examine all available information,” the directors said in a statement on Sunday.

The investigation is expected to examine Huang’s interactions with Alice Huang, the circumstances surrounding their relationship and whether any sensitive corporate or technological information was exposed.

Scrutiny of Megaspeed reportedly began nearly two years ago. According to The New York Times, the US Commerce Department opened an investigation into the company in late 2024 before the case was transferred to the Justice Department this year.

US intelligence agencies reportedly uncovered Alice Huang’s relationship with Jensen Huang through surveillance conducted as part of their investigation. The surveillance was still ongoing when the newspaper published its report.

The allegations are particularly sensitive because Washington has imposed extensive export restrictions on advanced semiconductor technology to prevent China from obtaining chips that could strengthen its artificial intelligence and military capabilities.

Nvidia has previously faced scrutiny over whether its products could reach restricted Chinese customers through intermediaries and overseas data centre operators.

The White House and the Commerce Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the investigation or the newspaper’s reporting.

President Donald Trump publicly defended Jensen Huang on Sunday evening, describing him as an honourable businessman.

Speaking to reporters as he returned to Washington, Trump said he had not discussed the allegations directly with the Nvidia chief executive but considered him a “fine person”.

Asked whether he regretted not acting on the intelligence when he was briefed about the matter, Trump replied, “No, I don’t think so.”

“I think he’s an honorable guy. I think he probably has an excuse for it. You have to hear it,” Trump added.

The president also said he did not know whether Huang would accompany him on his upcoming trip to Asia but indicated that he would welcome his participation.

“I’d certainly take him,” Trump said, adding that he had not heard that the Nvidia chief had done anything wrong.

The controversy has also prompted demands for congressional scrutiny. Republican chairmen of three influential House committees—Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and China—have requested that Huang attend a closed-door briefing on November 18.

Representatives Brian Mast, Rick Crawford and John Moolenaar want the Nvidia chief executive to explain his interactions with Alice Huang and outline the company’s measures to protect against foreign intelligence operations and the unauthorised transfer of sensitive technology.

The request signals growing concern in Washington that commercial relationships involving major technology companies could create vulnerabilities for US national security.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, also called for greater accountability following the newspaper’s report.

“NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang and NVIDIA’s board owe Congress answers,” Warren said in a statement.

She urged lawmakers to advance bipartisan legislation designed to prevent advanced American technology from reaching China, including stronger export controls as part of the annual defence policy legislation.

Nvidia previously described Jensen Huang’s interactions with Alice Huang as routine business dealings. In October, the company said regional cloud customers received ordinary business information rather than sensitive trade secrets or information relevant to national security.

The independent board investigation will now seek to establish whether those assurances are supported by the available evidence.

For Nvidia, the stakes extend beyond the personal controversy surrounding its chief executive. The company occupies a strategically important position in the US technology industry, supplying advanced processors that underpin artificial intelligence development worldwide.

Any indication that its technology, corporate information or leadership relationships were exploited by foreign intelligence networks could intensify pressure on Washington to tighten controls over the semiconductor industry.

The board has maintained that it has no current reason to believe national security or Nvidia’s proprietary information was compromised. However, the investigation and the November 18 congressional briefing could determine how extensively the company must account for its relationships with foreign business intermediaries.