Nvidia's board of directors has initiated an independent investigation into CEO Jensen Huang after he admitted to an affair with a suspected Chinese spy. The tech giant's board confirmed the news in a statement, stating the investigation is being conducted "in light of recent reporting" that Huang has "been the target of a foreign intelligence effort."
The investigation follows a late-October report from The New York Times, which alleged that Huang had an affair with Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, a businesswoman and executive at Megaspeed. U.S. intelligence reportedly believed this individual was involved in a Chinese spy plot. Huang confirmed the affair in a letter to Nvidia staff, acknowledging his infidelity and expressing deep regret.
"I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children,” Huang stated in the letter. “There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry.”
Nvidia stated that a committee of independent directors, assisted by outside counsel, will oversee the review. While the board indicated it currently has "no reason to believe either national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised," the inquiry will examine all available information. Huang will continue in his role as CEO during the investigation. According to The New York Times report, U.S. officials did not believe Huang was aware of Alice Huang's alleged intelligence activities for China as of last year.