Nvidia Board Opens Probe Into CEO's Reported Contact With Chinese Espionage Target

Nvidia's board of directors announced on Sunday that it has launched an independent investigation. The review will examine reports that founder and CEO Jensen Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence operation.

The announcement followed a weekend of reporting by The New York Times and the Financial Times. Those outlets detailed a relationship between Huang and Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman. The reports state that Alice Huang was recruited to spy for China. The two executives are not related.

In a statement, Nvidia confirmed that a committee of independent directors is overseeing the probe. The group is working with external legal advisors. The company said it prioritizes the national and economic security of the United States. It noted that this security is vital for Nvidia's interests and its shareholders.

The company added that it has no reason to believe national security or corporate secrets have been compromised. However, the investigation will examine all available information.

Alice Huang runs a company based in Singapore that buys advanced chips from Nvidia. The New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence agencies monitored her. Those agencies concluded that China's main intelligence agency recruited her. The paper stated that concerns about the relationship reached Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Financial Times reported on Friday that the U.S. government believed Jensen Huang maintained a romantic relationship with Alice Huang. When asked to comment on that story, Nvidia declined. The company noted that Huang meets with thousands of customer executives each year, which is standard practice for a chief executive.

Huang addressed employees in a memo shared with NBC News. He acknowledged the impact of the situation on his family. "I was unfaithful to my wife," he wrote. "My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did."

He continued the message to his family and colleagues. "I know an apology cannot undo what I have done," he said. "I hope our family can heal and that, with time, I can regain their trust." To his Nvidia colleagues, partners, and shareholders, he stated that they deserved better from him. "I have not lived up to that responsibility," he added. "I am fully committed to NVIDIA and will work to regain their trust."

Jensen Huang and Nvidia have led the rise of artificial intelligence for several years. The company's chips are the most in demand in the world. Its most advanced models face sales restrictions in China due to national security concerns. Huang has become a prominent figure in the tech industry, appearing frequently with President Donald Trump and King Charles III at conferences promoting AI growth.

An Nvidia spokesperson told NBC News that the news would not slow the company down. The spokesperson said Huang is committed to continuing to lead Nvidia as CEO without interruption.