Nvidia's board is investigating its own CEO

Nvidia's board opened an independent probe into national security concerns as CEO Jensen Huang admitted an affair.

Huang told staff in a Sunday email that he had an affair with Alice Huang. Per The Verge, the board has started an independent investigation into the national security concerns raised in news reports. Huang wrote that he supports the investigation and will cooperate fully. The board said it has no reason to believe that either national security or NVIDIA secrets were compromised, and that its inquiry will examine all available information.

The spy claims are allegations, not established fact. The New York Times reports that U.S. officials had determined the woman was working for Chinese intelligence. Reports in the NYT and the Financial Times say U.S. intelligence agencies have expressed concern that she has been passing information to Beijing. Per CNBC, she is affiliated with Megaspeed, an Nvidia customer accused of helping restricted Chinese companies acquire Nvidia AI chips.

An Nvidia spokesperson said Huang is committed to continuing as CEO without interruption. Nvidia reports third-quarter earnings on Nov. 17. Three House Republican committee chairs have asked Huang to sit for a closed-door briefing with lawmakers on Nov. 18.

“I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did.”Jensen Huang, Nvidia CEO, in Sunday staff email

The facts we checked

According to CNBC, The Verge and The New York Times; the spy claims are attributed to U.S. officials and to reporting by The New York Times and the Financial Times, and are not established fact.

1. Jensen Huang told Nvidia staff in a Sunday email that he had an affair with Alice Huang.Fact · CNBC
2. "I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did," Huang wrote in the message.Quote · CNBC
3. Nvidia's board of directors has initiated an independent investigation into the national security concerns raised in news reports.Fact · The Verge
4. Huang wrote in the memo: "I support the investigation and will cooperate fully."Quote · The Verge
5. The Nvidia 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."Quote · CNBC
6. The New York Times reports that U.S. officials had determined the woman was working for Chinese intelligence.Alleged · The New York Times
7. According to reports in The New York Times and the Financial Times, U.S. intelligence agencies have expressed concerns that Alice Huang has been passing information to Beijing.Alleged · CNBC
8. Alice Huang is affiliated with Megaspeed, a cloud company and Nvidia customer.Reported · CNBC
9. Megaspeed has been accused of helping restricted Chinese companies acquire Nvidia AI chips. Nvidia representatives previously said Megaspeed had already been investigated for evading export controls.Alleged · CNBC
10. An Nvidia spokesperson said Huang was committed to continuing as CEO without interruption.Reported · CNBC
11. Three House Republican committee chairs sent Huang a letter on Wednesday asking him to sit for a closed-door briefing with lawmakers on Nov. 18.Reported · CNBC
12. Nvidia reports third-quarter earnings on Nov. 17.Reported · CNBC

Sources

• The New York TimesNvidia Opens Investigation Into Jensen Huang’s Relationship With Chinese Spy
• The VergeHere’s the full text of Jensen Huang’s memo to Nvidia
• CNBCNvidia investigates CEO Jensen Huang's relationship with alleged Chinese spy
• The New York TimesWhat to Know About Nvidia’s Investigation of Its C.E.O.
• CNBCRead Huang's email to his staff and statement from Nvidia's board of directors
• Tom's HardwareNvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits to having an affair with suspected Chinese spy