Tech giant Nvidia launches probe into CEO's affair with suspected Chinese spy

Tech giant Nvidia has launched an independent inquiry into reports that its chief executive, Jensen Huang, was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation, as the company seeks to establish whether any sensitive information was put at risk.

The company’s board said it had no evidence that Nvidia’s trade secrets or US national security had been compromised. It also reaffirmed its support for Huang, who has led the technology giant for more than three decades.

The investigation follows a New York Times report that US intelligence officials believed Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang, who was said to have a close relationship with the Nvidia chief, was spying for Beijing. The newspaper reported in late October that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the intelligence allegations last year.

In a separate statement, Jensen Huang acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and apologised to her and their children. He said he accepted full responsibility for his actions and had failed in his obligations to Nvidia’s employees, board and shareholders.

Huang said he would cooperate fully with the board’s inquiry and reaffirmed his commitment to the company and US national security.

The board said it had ordered the investigation after reports that the company’s founder and chief executive had been the target of a foreign intelligence effort. It said the inquiry would review all available information, while stressing that it currently had no reason to believe Nvidia’s secrets or national security had been compromised.

Nvidia is among the world’s most valuable companies and plays a central role in supplying the hardware used to develop artificial intelligence technologies.