Nvidia probes ‘Chinese honeypot’ allegations after CEO admits affair
American AI chip giant Nvidia has launched an independent investigation into allegations that CEO Jensen Huang was targeted in a Chinese intelligence 'honeypot' operation, following his admission to cheating on his wife.
The 63-year-old billionaire admitted to the affair in a message to employees but did not identify the woman or explicitly mention China. "I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry," Huang wrote.
Reports by the New York Times and Financial Times alleged Huang developed a relationship with Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, a Chinese executive formerly with Singapore-based Megaspeed International. US intelligence officials believe she was recruited by China's Ministry of State Security to gather information about Nvidia.
China dismisses spy claims
Beijing has rejected the espionage accusations. "The relevant report is based on groundless speculation and is purely aimed at smearing and slandering China," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on October 30.
The relevant report is based on groundless speculation and is purely aimed at smearing and slandering China.
Trump defends Huang
Trump defended Huang on Sunday, telling reporters that the Nvidia chief "hasn't done anything wrong," adding that he would take Huang on another upcoming trip to Asia. The US president is scheduled to visit the Philippines before traveling to China for the APEC summit on November 18-19.
Huang accompanied Trump on a state visit to China in May, traveling aboard Air Force One. In September, Huang and his wife, Lori, attended Trump's state dinner for Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White House.
Nvidia's investigation
Nvidia's board said a committee of independent directors, assisted by outside legal counsel, would investigate reports of a "foreign intelligence effort" targeting Huang. The company stressed it had no reason to believe US national security or the company's secrets had been compromised.
The scandal comes amid intensifying technological rivalry between Washington and Beijing, with advanced AI chips emerging as a major point of contention. Huang has maintained close ties with Trump and has advocated easing certain US export restrictions on Nvidia's products.
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