NVIDIA has launched an independent investigation into whether chief executive officer Jensen Huang was targeted in a foreign intelligence operation following reports of his alleged relationship with a Chinese businesswoman suspected of working for Beijing.
The US chipmaker said its board had appointed a committee of independent directors, assisted by external legal counsel, to oversee the investigation following media reports linking Huang to Alice Huang, a former executive of Singapore-based company Megaspeed.
Nvidia said the board had no reason to believe that US national security or the company's trade secrets had been compromised, but would examine all available information.
Huang fully supported the investigation and had pledged to cooperate, while committing to continue leading the company without interruption, Nvidia said in a statement on Sunday.
The controversy follows a New York Times report last month alleging that Huang had a close relationship with Alice Huang, whom US authorities investigated and concluded was a Chinese intelligence asset.
Megaspeed, which purchases artificial intelligence (AI) chips from Nvidia, has also come under US scrutiny over suspicions that it helped Beijing obtain advanced chips restricted from export to China.
In a message to employees, Huang acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and apologised for the impact on his family.
“My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry,” he said.
Addressing employees, directors, business partners and shareholders, Huang said he had fallen short of his responsibilities but remained committed to the company.
“My responsibility is to serve you and 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 confidence,” he said.
The investigation comes as Nvidia faces mounting investor concerns over the sustainability of the artificial intelligence boom, with its shares having surrendered their gains for the year amid a broader technology market sell-off.
Dan Ives, a partner and senior managing director at Yorkville Ives & Co, said the board's findings could have implications for Huang's leadership and the company's share performance, given his central role in Nvidia's global strategy.
He said the controversy could also trigger congressional inquiries and intensify scrutiny of the company's business dealings with China.
Top Republican lawmakers in the US House of Representatives have already asked Huang to brief Congress this month on the allegations raised in the New York Times report.
In a letter dated Nov 4, the lawmakers cited concerns over China's potential access to sensitive US technology and information, saying Congress needed to establish whether national security had been put at risk.
US export controls introduced in 2022 have sought to restrict China's access to advanced Nvidia chips and the equipment required to manufacture them.
Huang, who co-founded Nvidia in 1993, said he remained committed to safeguarding the company and supporting US national security.
Nvidia had previously maintained that Huang engages with thousands of customer executives annually, while its cloud customers in Asia receive ordinary business information rather than sensitive trade secrets or information related to US national security. - November 9, 2026
