Nvidia’s board of directors announced on Sunday that it would launch an independent investigation into CEO Jensen Huang after reports that he was the target of Chinese espionage.
Nvidia also disclosed that Huang had sent a message to the company acknowledging that he had been having an affair with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based semiconductor company Megaspeed (although he did not mention her by name). A memo circulating among U.S. policymakers earlier this year claimed that Alice Huang was recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security to spy on Nvidia’s CEO.
“I owe my family and everyone an apology,” Jensen Huang wrote. “I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and my children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am truly sorry.”
Hwang added that he has “failed” to fulfill his responsibilities to the company.
“My colleagues at NVIDIA, including those I have worked with for decades, and our board of directors, partners, and shareholders around the world deserve more recognition from me,” he said.
As the AI race between the US and China intensifies, chips, especially those from Nvidia, are attracting a lot of attention. Hwang also appears to have a close relationship with President Donald Trump, the cheerleader for the AI (or “superintelligence”) industry.
In a statement, Nvidia’s board said there was “no reason to believe” that national security or trade secrets were compromised. The board also said that Huang “fully supports this review and is committed to cooperating with it” and that the board has “confidence in Mr. Jensen and his leadership team.”
The investigation will be conducted by independent directors working with outside legal counsel.
In response to previous reports about the CEO’s relationship with Alice Huang, NVIDIA said their interaction was “not unusual” and said the company does not share confidential information with customers.
Other companies involved in the AI boom are also warning employees to be wary of potential spies, including those who propose sex or romance.
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