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Nvidia Board Launches Independent Investigation
United States chipmaker Nvidia has announced an internal investigation into chief executive officer Jensen Huang after the billionaire executive confirmed an extramarital relationship with a woman accused of working for Chinese intelligence. The company stated on Sunday that the probe is being led by a committee of independent directors supported by outside legal counsel.
Nvidia's board of directors stated that it currently has no reason to believe national security or proprietary company secrets were compromised. However, the panel will review all relevant information surrounding the matter. The board affirmed its ongoing confidence in Huang, who will remain in his role leading the firm throughout the inquiry.
Espionage Claims and Congressional Scrutiny
The investigation comes after a report published by The New York Times detailing potential espionage attempts aimed at the chipmaker. The report alleged that a Chinese national named Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, attempted to cultivate a relationship with Jensen Huang to obtain details about Nvidia's technology. Alice Huang shares no family relation with the CEO. The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., has denied any involvement in espionage.
The New York Times also revealed that Alice Huang's employer, Megaspeed, had emerged as one of Nvidia's prominent customers, purchasing approximately $4.8 billion in equipment. The report triggered sharp bipartisan criticism from lawmakers in Washington:
- Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren stated that Nvidia's leadership owes explanations to Congress and advocated for pending bipartisan legislation to block advanced American technology exports to China.
- Republican Representatives John Moolenaar, Brian Mast, and Rick Crawford requested that Huang appear to testify before Congress on November 18 to evaluate potential risks to national security.
Staff Message and Political Environment
In an internal email dispatched to Nvidia employees on Sunday, Huang acknowledged the extramarital affair, expressing regret for his actions and acknowledging the pain caused to his family.
Nvidia has seen unprecedented expansion during the artificial intelligence boom, manufacturing critical chips for companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google. The development unfolds against a backdrop of strict U.S. export controls aimed at preventing China from obtaining advanced semiconductor technology, alongside recent stock market volatility in the technology sector.
Addressing reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. President Donald Trump defended the executive, describing Huang as an honourable person who has performed an outstanding job for the country.
Source: US chipmaker Nvidia investigates CEO Jensen Huang over affair