Nvidia investigating CEO Jensen Huang amid allegations he was target of Chinese intelligence efforts

Nvidia has launched an independent investigation into its co-founder and CEO, Jensen Huang, following allegations that he was the target of an intelligence effort by China.

The allegations revolve around a Chinese business executive named Alice Huang, who U.S. intelligence agencies view as an asset of China’s Ministry of State Security, the country’s main intelligence agency.

The CIA, NSA and ODNI did not immediately respond to CBS News’ requests for comment.

The New York Times reported last month that U.S. authorities were investigating Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed, which buys AI chips from Nvidia. The report claims that Jensen Huang had a close relationship with Alice Huang, who U.S. intelligence officials said was a spy for China’s Ministry of State Security.

Jensen Huang, in a message to Nvidia employees on Sunday, admitted to being “unfaithful” to his wife and apologized for hurting her and their children, although he did not name the woman involved. “There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry,” he said.

“The NVIDIA Board of Directors is opening an independent investigation in light of recent reports that Founder and CEO Jensen Huang may have been the target of foreign intelligence efforts,” the Nvidia Board of Directors said in a statement on Sunday. “A committee of independent directors, assisted by independent external counsel, will oversee the investigation.”

The board said it had no reason to believe company secrets or national security were compromised.

“The Board prioritizes the national and economic security of the United States, which is paramount to the interests of NVIDIA and its shareholders,” the statement said.

China has rejected allegations of a Chinese spying operation targeting Jensen Huang, calling the claims “baseless speculation,” CBS News partner BBC News reported.

A company spokesperson said Jensen Huang “fully supports the review” and is committed to continuing to lead the company.

Jensen Huang said he failed to fulfill his responsibilities to the company’s employees, board of directors and shareholders. He said he was “fully committed to NVIDIA” and would work to regain their trust.

“Regarding the national security concerns raised in the reporting, NVIDIA’s board of directors has initiated an independent investigation,” it said in a statement. “I support the investigation and will cooperate fully.”

“I love our country and our company. I am committed to protecting NVIDIA and supporting America’s national security. I am proud and grateful to be an American,” he added.

Alice Huang was previously a television journalist in China before becoming a senior executive at Singapore-based data center company Megaspeed, which became one of Nvidia’s largest customers in Southeast Asia. Megaspeed has purchased more than $4.8 billion worth of Nvidia chips over the past two years, according to the Times.

Asked about the report Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he could not comment, saying it was an “internal company matter.”

Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company, has consistently beaten Wall Street’s earnings expectations over the past three years since its high-end chips became the best building blocks of AI. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company reported quarterly profits of $59.69 billion in August.