Nvidia investigates claims CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by Chinese intelligence

Nvidia’s board launched an independent investigation into claims that CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by Chinese intelligence. Huang said he would fully support the investigation.

The board of AI chipmaker Nvidia announced that it had launched an independent investigation into claims that company co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. A committee made up of independent board members will conduct the investigation with support from outside legal advisers.

The New York Times and the Financial Times reported that U.S. intelligence agencies suspect a businesswoman linked to cloud company Megaspeed, one of Nvidia’s customers, of passing information to Beijing. Megaspeed is accused of helping Chinese companies subject to restrictions acquire Nvidia’s AI chips.

Jensen Huang poses for a commemorative photo with students at Stanford (archive)

In an email to employees, Huang acknowledged having had a relationship with the woman in question and apologized to his family. Huang said, "Regarding the national security concerns raised in news reports, our board has launched an independent investigation. I support the investigation and will cooperate fully."

In a statement, the board said, "The board has no reason to believe that national security or Nvidia’s secrets have been compromised, but the review will cover all available information." The company said Huang would continue serving as CEO without interruption.

The allegations come as Nvidia finds itself at the center of competition between the United States and China over AI chips. Three Republican committee chairmen in the U.S. House of Representatives asked Huang to brief lawmakers in a closed session on November 18. Nvidia will announce its third-quarter results on November 17.