Alice Huang, a former executive at Megaspeed whom US intelligence authorities have identified as a Chinese intelligence "asset," leaves a restaurant in Taiwan in May last year after having dinner with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and others. [Taiwan NowNews]
Alice Huang, a former executive at Megaspeed whom US intelligence authorities have identified as a Chinese intelligence "asset," leaves a restaurant in Taiwan in May last year after having dinner with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and others. [Taiwan NowNews]

Nvidia has launched an independent investigation after reports emerged alleging that a Chinese businesswoman who maintained a close relationship with CEO Jensen Huang passed information to the Chinese government.

Nvidia said Sunday (local time) that its board had initiated an independent probe "in light of recent reports raising the possibility that founder and CEO Jensen Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence operation." A committee of independent outside directors, assisted by independent outside legal counsel, will oversee the investigation, the company said.

Nvidia added that the board has no reason to believe US national security or the company's confidential information has been compromised, but that the probe will review all available information.

Huang indicated in a message to Nvidia employees that he may have had a romantic relationship with the woman. "I was unfaithful to my wife," he wrote. "My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am truly sorry."

Addressing colleagues, board members, partners and shareholders, Huang said: "My responsibility is to work for you and to be worthy of your trust. I have fallen short of that responsibility. I am fully committed to Nvidia and will work to earn back your trust."

An Nvidia spokesperson said Huang would "continue to lead the company as CEO without interruption."

The New York Times reported Sunday (local time) that US authorities have been investigating Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed, since last month. Megaspeed purchases AI chips from Nvidia, and US authorities believe the company helped the Chinese government obtain advanced Nvidia AI chips whose export to China is prohibited. Authorities regard Alice Huang as a Chinese government intelligence "asset" who gained access to senior officials and passed information obtained from them to Beijing.

Meanwhile, Republican House leaders have called on Huang to appear before Congress in person this month to explain the matter.


kate01@heraldcorp.com