Nvidia opens independent investigation after CEO Jensen Huang admits affair

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Nvidia has launched an independent investigation into reports that its founder and chief executive, Jensen Huang, was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. The announcement came after Huang admitted in a message to employees that he had been unfaithful to his wife.

The company said a committee of independent directors, supported by outside counsel, will examine all available information. Nvidia said it has no reason to believe that national security or company secrets were compromised, but it will investigate the matter thoroughly.

In his message to employees, Huang wrote, “I owe my family and all of you an apology.” He said, “I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did.”

Huang said he takes full responsibility for his actions and remains fully committed to Nvidia. The company said he will continue leading the business while the investigation proceeds.

The investigation follows reporting that Huang had a close relationship with Alice Huang, a former senior executive at Singapore based data center company Megaspeed. US intelligence officials reportedly assessed that she was working for China’s Ministry of State Security and may have sought information about US artificial intelligence chips and Nvidia’s advanced chip sales to China.

Nvidia had previously described Alice Huang’s contact with Jensen Huang as a normal business relationship. Megaspeed has reportedly purchased about $4.8 billion worth of Nvidia chips over the past two years.

Lawmakers are also increasing scrutiny of the matter. Republican chairs of three House committees have asked Jensen Huang to attend a closed door briefing on November 18, one day after Nvidia is scheduled to report its third quarter earnings.

The lawmakers have asked Huang to set a meeting date by November 11. Democratic Senator Chris Coons has also said he will investigate the issue.

Nvidia said Huang supports the review and has committed to cooperating with the investigation. The board said it remains confident in Huang and his leadership team, even as the inquiry examines the potential implications of the reported foreign intelligence effort.

The case has put renewed attention on Nvidia’s governance and national security exposure at a time when the company sits at the center of the global artificial intelligence boom.