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- Classified memo warned of NVIDIA CEO’s affair with an alleged Chinese spy.
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Classified memo warned of NVIDIA CEO’s affair with an alleged Chinese spy.
The New York Times reports that US intelligence believes that Alice Huang, a Chinese business executive who had an affair with NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang (no relation), is working directly for China’s Ministry of State Security. Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversaw the drafting of a memo earlier this year that warned the Trump administration that Jensen Huang was in a relationship with a suspected Chinese spy.
Alice Huang worked for a Singapore-based company that buys NVIDIA’s chips, and she was under investigation for smuggling the chips into China. The Times says she was recruited by the MSS to gather information on American AI chips and attempt to push for NVIDIA to make its chips available in China.
NVIDIA said in a statement, “The NVIDIA Board is initiating an independent investigation in light of recent reporting that founder and CEO Jensen Huang has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort. A committee of independent directors, assisted by outside independent counsel, will oversee the investigation. The Board prioritizes U.S. national and economic security, which is paramount to the interests of NVIDIA and its shareholders. 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.”
Jensen Huang admitted to and apologized for the affair in a letter to employees, adding, “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.”
A Chinese spokesperson dismissed the reporting as a smear campaign against China, the AP reports.