Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang allegedly had a romantic relationship with a Chinese businesswoman suspected of spying for Beijing, according to a classified US intelligence memo obtained by The Financial Times.
US intelligence officials believe the woman, identified as Alice Huang (no relation to Jensen Huang), an executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed, was recruited by China's Ministry of State Security. Her alleged mission was to gather information about the Nvidia chief and potentially influence his decisions, particularly concerning the export of advanced microchips to China.
Megaspeed, a significant Nvidia customer, is reportedly under investigation for allegedly helping to funnel restricted American microchips into China. While The New York Times previously reported on a "close relationship" between the two Huangs, the Financial Times report is the first to detail the US government's belief that the relationship was intimate, intensifying concerns about a potential Chinese espionage operation targeting a key figure in the global artificial intelligence industry.
It remains unclear whether Jensen Huang was aware of his alleged associate's ties to Beijing or if any sensitive information was compromised. Nvidia has not commented on the specific allegations, though a spokesperson previously stated that Huang's interactions with Alice Huang were not unusual for a CEO meeting with customers.
Jensen Huang, whose company's processors are critical for AI development, has held significant influence in the tech sector and has had close access to US political figures, including former President Donald Trump. Huang has reportedly advocated for relaxing restrictions on sales of advanced Nvidia processors to China, arguing for American companies' ability to compete in the Chinese market.
US intelligence agencies reportedly monitored Alice Huang electronically for at least a year, and former President Trump was allegedly briefed on her suspected activities and relationship with Huang. Despite these intelligence concerns, Huang continued to have significant access to the former president, even boarding Air Force One during a trip to China.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have requested a closed-door briefing from Huang regarding his interactions with Alice Huang and Nvidia's security measures against foreign espionage. China has generally dismissed espionage allegations as unsubstantiated.