Nvidia says it's investigating whether CEO Jensen Huang was the target of a 'foreign intelligence effort'
· Business Insider
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- Nvidia said its board of directors is opening an investigation into CEO and founder Jensen Huang.
- On Sunday, Huang said in a note to Nvidia staff that he had been "unfaithful" to his wife.
- Read his note to staffers below.
Nvidia's board of directors says it is opening an investigation into whether CEO Jensen Huang was the target of a "foreign intelligence effort."
The announcement came after Huang sent a note to Nvidia staff admitting he had been "unfaithful" to his wife.
"My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry," Huang wrote. "I support the investigation and will cooperate fully."
The New York Times reported that US officials believed Alice Huang, an executive at one of Nvidia's customers, Megaspeed — with whom the Nvidia CEO had reportedly had a relationship — had been recruited as a spy to gather information about Nvidia for the Chinese government.
That raised national security concerns, given Nvidia's relationship with China — a major market where US export controls limit its chip sales.
Last week, a group of lawmakers sent a letter to Huang requesting he participate in a closed-door briefing on security protocols against "foreign adversary espionage" and Huang's relationship with Alice Huang. The meeting was proposed for November 18.
In a statement on Sunday, Nvidia said the board of directors prioritizes US national and economic security, which it considers "paramount to the interests of NVIDIA and its shareholders."
The board added that it had no reason to believe national security or company secrets had been compromised.
"Today's news will not slow Nvidia," a spokesperson for the company told Business Insider. "Jensen is committed to continuing to lead Nvidia as CEO without interruption."
A former Nvidia employee told Business Insider they were "very sad and disappointed," adding that "it really was not something you might expect from Jensen." Another former employee said many of their colleagues still at the company were shocked and saddened, and had expressed concern for Huang's wife and family.
Bill Ackman, the billionaire founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, said in an X post on Sunday that the Nvidia CEO is an "incredible human" and that "even incredible humans make mistakes."
"He takes full responsibility as he should," Ackman wrote. "We should all support him and his family."
Read Huang's note to staffers:
To my colleagues at NVIDIA,
I owe my family and all of you an apology.
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.
Throughout my life, my family has given me love and support. They deserve my honesty and loyalty. Instead, I let them down and damaged the life we built together. I take full responsibility for what I did and the hurt I caused, and I accept the criticism that comes with it.
To my wife and family: I love you. I know an apology cannot undo what I have done. I hope our family will heal and that, over time, I can earn back your trust.
To my colleagues at NVIDIA, including those I have worked alongside for decades, and to our board, partners, and shareholders around the world: you deserve better from me. Leading NVIDIA is the privilege of my life. My responsibility is to serve you and be worthy of your trust. I have fallen short of that responsibility. I am fully committed to NVIDIA and will work to earn back your confidence.
Regarding the national security concerns raised in news reports, NVIDIA's Board of Directors has initiated an independent investigation. 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.
My family bears no responsibility for my choices. I do. Please give them privacy.
Jensen
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