Nvidia has opened an independent review after CEO Jensen Huang admitted to having an extramarital relationship with a person believed to be a suspect Chinese intelligence operative.
The company’s board said in a statement that it is examining concerns raised by recent reports, including claims that Huang had been drawn into a foreign intelligence effort. The development follows a late-October report that said the executive had been unfaithful to his wife with someone U.S. intelligence officials believed may have been part of a Chinese espionage scheme.
The person identified in the report as connected to Huang was Megaspeed executive and Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang, who is also referred to as Huang Le. Huang later confirmed the affair in a letter to Nvidia employees.
He admitted that he had been disloyal to his wife and that his actions had hurt her and their children. He added that there was there is no justification for his actions and words he was deeply sorry.
Huang also addressed the security questions raised in the news coverage, stating that Nvidia’s board had launched his own separate inquiry and that he would fully cooperate with it. He said he loved the country and the company, and that he was committed to protecting Nvidia while supporting America’s national security. He also said he felt honored and thankful to call himself an American.
Nvidia said the review will be handled by an independent board committee supported by outside independent counsel. The board added that it currently has no reason to believe that national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised.
The company’s full statement said the following:
- The board is launching an independent review after recent accounts indicating that founder and CEO Jensen Huang was the focus of a foreign espionage operation.
- A committee of independent directors, supported by outside independent counsel, will lead the process.
- The board said U.S. national and economic security remain a top priority for Nvidia and its shareholders.
- While there is no reason to think national security or company secrets were affected, the inquiry will review all available information.
- Huang supports the review and has pledged full cooperation.
- The board stated that it remains confident in Huang and his leadership team, and more updates will follow when needed.
Huang will continue serving as Nvidia CEO while the investigation proceeds. The report also said that, by the end of last year, U.S. officials had not believe he knew about Alice Huang’s alleged intelligence activities for China.
Image captured by Joel Saget / AFP, courtesy of Getty Images.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He is known for work at sites including The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. You can also follow him on Bluesky and Twitter.