Nvidia said on Sunday that it would launch an investigation into allegations that its chief executive, Jensen Huang, was targeted by 'foreign intelligence efforts.'
Multiple media outlets, including The Financial Times, reported that American intelligence sources had identified a Chinese woman as having been recruited by China's Ministry of State Security. The woman is described as an executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed.
Rumors and Allegations
In response to reports linking Huang to the affair, he issued a personal apology in an email sent to Nvidia staff. "My actions hurt her and our children," Huang wrote. "There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry."
Nvidia has not confirmed any direct involvement between its leadership or technology assets and foreign espionage activities. However, US authorities have raised concerns about Megaspeed’s procurement of Nvidia chips over the past two years — with The New York Times reporting that the company has purchased billions of dollars worth of NVIDIA products.
Corporate Response
In a statement released by the company's board of directors, it was affirmed that Jensen Huang will remain CEO during the investigation. The board said that an independent group of directors, assisted by outside legal counsel, would oversee the probe into potential security breaches.
Huang emphasized his commitment to protecting both the company and 'America's national security' in public remarks following the incident.
Nvidia’s leadership team stated they have "no reason to believe" that either national security or Nvidia's proprietary information has been compromised as part of these allegations.
Background on Jensen Huang
Jensen Huang was born in Taipei and spent part of his childhood in Taiwan before relocating to the United States. In 1993, he co-founded NVIDIA with two other individuals, which grew from a small graphics card startup into one of the world's leading suppliers of AI chips during the artificial intelligence boom.
As of Sunday, Huang is listed by Forbes as having a net worth of $162.2 billion (€145.5 billion), placing him among the wealthiest people globally — comparable to investor Warren Buffett.
Nvidia’s board confirmed that it has invited US lawmakers for briefings on the matter, indicating ongoing governmental interest in the potential implications of foreign access to advanced semiconductor technology and leadership ties.