Nvidia board launches probe into CEO’s ties with Chinese national

Nvidia has announced that its board of directors is initiating an independent investigation into the relationship between chief executive Jensen Huang and Alice Huang, an executive at Megaspeed. The review follows recent media reports suggesting that the company’s founder had a close personal connection with the Megaspeed employee, who is alleged to have been recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security to conduct espionage activities against the US technology firm.

In a statement issued by the board, directors confirmed that a committee of independent directors, supported by outside legal counsel, will oversee the inquiry. The board emphasised that US national and economic security remains a paramount concern for the company and its shareholders. While stating there is currently no reason to believe that national security interests or Nvidia trade secrets have been compromised, the directors noted that the investigation will examine all available information. Jensen Huang has expressed full support for the review and has committed to cooperating with the process. The board also expressed confidence in his leadership team and indicated that further updates would be provided as appropriate.

The New York Times previously reported that Jensen Huang developed a close relationship with Alice Huang, which he later described as romantic in a memo to the company. US officials believe she was transmitting information directly to Beijing. Megaspeed, a customer of Nvidia, is currently the subject of a Commerce Department investigation into allegations that it was smuggling artificial intelligence chips to China. These chips are considered critical to maintaining US technological supremacy. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have restricted their sale to China, although President Trump has loosened certain restrictions while still barring the sale of Nvidia’s most powerful chips to Chinese firms. Concerns have also been raised regarding the proximity between Jensen Huang and Donald Trump, with questions about whether insights into administration deliberations on AI policy may have been shared with Alice Huang and subsequently passed to Chinese authorities.