Artificial intelligence computer chip giant Nvidia said Sunday that it was investigating chief executive Jensen Huang after he told employees in a note that he had an intimate relationship with a business executive accused of being a Chinese spy.
Who is Jensen Huang?
Huang, 63, is one of the most powerful business executives in the world. Nvidia, which he co-founded, is a kingmaker in the global AI race.
Bloomberg estimates Huang’s net worth at $155 billion, making him the 10th richest person in the world.
Huang, who was born in Taiwan and raised in the United States, co-founded Nvidia in 1993. At first the company offered computer chips that process graphics, including for video games. It made an early pivot to AI, becoming a critical supplier to technology firms.
Huang is close to President Donald Trump and has been an influential voice in arguing against export controls on computer chips to China, including in regular visits to the White House.
Nvidia said Huang will continue to work as chief executive through the investigation.
What does Nvidia sell and make?
Nvidia is a leading manufacturer of the computer chips required to develop high-end AI technology, including those used by Anthropic and OpenAI.
The company has seen a massive surge in its share prices under Huang’s leadership. Now worth over $4.5 trillion, Nvidia regularly trades the title of world’s most valuable company with Apple.
What are the allegations against Huang?
The New York Times reported in October that Alice Huang, an executive at an Nvidia customer whom Jensen Huang had developed a relationship with, was suspected by U.S. intelligence services of being a Chinese spy. The outlet reported that Trump was briefed on the knowledge a year ago but did not act on the information.
Alice Huang is also a former executive at Singapore-based data center company Megaspeed, to which Nvidia has sold billions of dollars of chips, according to the Times.
How has Nvidia responded to the allegations?
Nvidia said Sunday that it was launching an independent investigation that would be overseen by a committee of directors and outside counsel.
“The Board prioritizes U.S. national and economic security, which is paramount to the interests of NVIDIA and its shareholders,” the company’s board said in a statement. “While the Board has no reason to believe that either national security or NVIDIA secrets were compromised, the Board’s inquiry will examine all available information.”
The board said it maintained “confidence in Jensen and his leadership team.”
Shares of Nvidia stock fell more than 5 percent Monday morning.
What has Jensen Huang said?
In a letter to the company Sunday, Jensen Huang admitted to being unfaithful to his wife and said he was “deeply sorry” to his family.
“Throughout my life, my family has given me love and support. They deserve my honesty and loyalty. Instead, I let them down and damaged the life we built together. I take full responsibility for what I did and the hurt I caused, and I accept the criticism that comes with it,” Huang wrote.
Huang also apologized to Nvidia’s board, partners and shareholders.
“My responsibility is to serve you and be worthy of your trust,” Huang said. “I have fallen short of that responsibility. I am fully committed to NVIDIA and will work to earn back your confidence.”
Huang said he was “proud and grateful to be an American” and would cooperate fully with Nvidia’s independent investigation.
“I love our country and our company. I am committed to protecting NVIDIA and supporting America’s national security,” Huang wrote.
What has Trump said?
Trump has defended Huang, telling reporters Sunday night that the Nvidia CEO is an “honorable guy.”
“I just know he’s a fine person, but you never know what is going on,” Trump said. “I’m sure — I hope everything’s fine. He’s done such an incredible job, and so I would certainly hope, but he’s a fine person, in my opinion.”
Huang has been one of Trump’s strongest allies in the tech world and accompanied the president on a state visit to China in May.
Asked whether he wished he had acted sooner on intelligence reports that Huang may have been entangled with a Chinese spy, Trump suggested he was not concerned.
“I think he probably has an excuse for it. … He’s done an amazing job for our country,” Trump said.
Gerrit De Vynck, Ian Duncan and Liam Bowman contributed to this report.
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