Nvidia Board to Probe Spying Case After CEO Admits Affair

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admitted to employees that he had been unfaithful to his wife, apologized to his family and colleagues, and accepted responsibility for the harm caused. The admission followed months of reports about his relationship with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based chip customer Megaspeed International, whom US authorities suspect was recruited by Chinese intelligence. Nvidia’s board is forming a committee of independent directors, supported by outside counsel, to investigate both the relationship and claims that Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. The company says it has no reason to believe national security or its trade secrets were compromised; Huang says he will cooperate and remains CEO during the inquiry.

The scandal adds pressure on a company central to the AI boom, as investors question how long heavy data-center spending can continue and Nvidia’s China business remains constrained by US export controls and Beijing’s restrictions. Megaspeed has separately faced accusations of smuggling Nvidia chips to China. Huang has been the company’s public champion and dominant strategist, while its informal, highly centralized management structure and lack of a clear successor amplify concerns about dependence on him. Analysts said the controversy puts his leadership and judgment under scrutiny at a sensitive moment. Nvidia’s market value, which neared $5.8 trillion in October, has since fallen below $5 trillion; the company is due to report earnings later in the month.