Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang developed a close relationship with a Chinese business executive and suspected spy, Alice Huang, who the CIA believes was involved in smuggling advanced U.S. microchips to China. The revelation reportedly caused concern within the White House and U.S. intelligence circles.
Alice Huang, who is not related to Nvidia's CEO, allegedly acted as an intermediary through her tech firm Megaspeed to funnel banned artificial intelligence chips to China. This alleged activity is believed to have violated U.S. policies aimed at preventing Nvidia's high-end AI chips from reaching Beijing, a critical component in the global race for AI dominance.
Sources familiar with the matter told The New York Times that intelligence agencies became aware of the relationship when investigating Ms. Huang's suspected espionage activities for China and discovered her contact with a U.S. citizen. The identity of this U.S. citizen was revealed to be Jensen Huang, a prominent figure in the global tech industry.
The timeline of when the relationship began or was uncovered remains unclear. However, The New York Times reported that then-President Trump was briefed on the intelligence findings approximately one year prior to the report. Trump, who had emphasized the importance of the U.S. winning the AI race against China, reportedly did not take action on the information regarding Huang.
Nvidia, with a market capitalization exceeding $5 trillion, plays a central role in America's AI development efforts. In his second term, Trump engaged closely with Silicon Valley leaders, including Huang, frequently inviting him to the White House and placing him in proximity at state dinners. Huang had also advocated for the relaxation of regulations on AI technology and restrictions on chip sales during the Trump administration. Earlier this year, Huang disclosed that Trump often contacted him late at night to discuss AI, jobs, manufacturing, and national security.
While this engagement occurred, U.S. intelligence sources indicated that Huang's association with Alice Huang was drawing scrutiny. Investigations into Megaspeed CEO Alice Huang's connections to Beijing reportedly determined her involvement in gathering intelligence for China and diverting Nvidia chips into the country. Despite her being under surveillance, companies affiliated with her have allegedly continued to purchase Nvidia chips.
Sources told The New York Times that while some American business leaders targeted by foreign intelligence services receive defense briefings, Jensen Huang had not been provided with such briefings from the U.S. government. When Trump was briefed on the allegations, officials reportedly did not believe Huang was aware of Alice Huang's alleged intelligence activities for Beijing.
Evidence of their interactions includes photographs posted to LinkedIn by the company NetThunder, showing Jensen Huang and Alice Huang together in a Taipei bar in June 2024, following a technology trade show. In May 2025, they were again seen leaving a restaurant in Taipei after a business dinner with AI suppliers, with Ms. Huang reportedly waiting for Jensen Huang as he spoke with journalists.
Nvidia has stated that Jensen Huang's interactions with Alice Huang were not unusual for a CEO, involving meetings with thousands of customer executives annually. The company asserted confidence that the U.S. government would notify them if any individual posed a threat to American industry. Megaspeed issued a statement indicating its current leadership was taking the allegations seriously, retaining outside counsel to conduct an internal investigation, and cooperating with the U.S. government.