Nvidia investigates alleged spy plot involving CEO Jensen Huang
The chipmaker's board is conducting an independent inquiry after reports linked the CEO's affair to a purported Chinese government agent.
Nvidia is conducting an independent investigation into whether its CEO, Jensen Huang, was the target of a foreign intelligence effort, according to reports from The Economic Times and The Pioneer. The company's board of directors announced the probe on Sunday following news reports regarding Huang's relationship with a person identified by The New York Times as Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen and business executive.
The New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence determined Alice Huang was gathering information for Beijing. Alice Huang was previously a television reporter in China and a former executive at the Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed International. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun dismissed the allegations on Monday, calling them a smear campaign.
In an email to employees, Huang apologised for being unfaithful to his wife and stated he had fallen short of his responsibilities. He said he is committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting America's national security. Nvidia's board stated it has no reason to believe that national security or company secrets were compromised, but the inquiry will examine all available information.
President Donald Trump said on Monday that the FBI is also looking into the affair, though he maintained that Huang is an "honorable guy." Trump noted that Huang told him he had no idea the individual in question was a spy. Nvidia shares dropped more than 4 per cent on Monday, according to The New Indian Express.
Huang, 63, will remain CEO during the investigation. Company spokesperson John Rizzo said the news will not slow Nvidia and that Huang is committed to leading the company without interruption.