Nvidia investigates reports CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by foreign intelligence

Nvidia’s board announced the investigation on 8 November, saying a committee of independent directors would oversee it with the help of outside legal advisers. The board said it had no reason to believe US national security or Nvidia secrets had been compromised, but the inquiry would examine all available information.

The BBC, citing The New York Times, reported that Huang had a romantic relationship with a woman whom US intelligence believed to be a Chinese spy. On 30 October, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the earlier Times report as unsubstantiated and a smear against China.

In a letter to employees published by Axios, Huang said he had been unfaithful to his wife and apologised to his family. He did not name anyone else in the letter. He said he supported the investigation and would cooperate fully.

Nvidia’s chips are central to the development of artificial intelligence. The US has imposed export controls since 2022 to restrict China’s access to advanced technology, putting the company at the centre of tensions between the two countries.

The board said it had confidence in Huang and his leadership team. A company spokesperson told Reuters that Huang intended to continue leading Nvidia without interruption.