Nvidia chief Jensen Huang has admitted to having an extramarital affair as his company announced it will investigate reports he was the "target of a foreign intelligence effort."
This story is dominating the headlines here in Taipei where Jensen Huang was filmed with a woman now at the center of a suspected Chinese spy scandal. The Nvidia CEO is facing an independent investigation by his own company. In a message to employees, Huang writes, I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There's no excuse for what I did. I'm deeply sorry. That apology is exploding on Chinese social media, drawing more than 40 million views on Weibo as of Monday morning local time.
Much of the discussion focuses on his infidelity rather than the alleged spying. But there is an important distinction here. Huang's statement does not identify the person involved, and it does not confirm an affair with this woman. The corporate executive identified by the New York Times as Alice Huang. No relation to Jensen. The Times reports, US Intelligence concluded she was passing information to Beijing and had developed a close relationship with Jensen. CNN has not independently verified her identity or those intelligence findings.
They were filmed leaving a private dinner together here in Taipei last year. The two were also photographed together at a Taipei bar in 2024 during the Computex technology show. Now, Nvidia's board says independent directors and outside lawyers will investigate the reported foreign intelligence effort. The board says, quote, while the board has no reason to believe that either national security or Nvidia's secrets were compromised, the board's inquiry will examine all available information. Huang says he will cooperate fully and President Trump is standing by him.
I just know he's a fine person, but you never know what is going on. Um, I'm sure, I hope everything's fine, yeah. He's done such an incredible job. And, uh, so I would certainly hope it. He's a fine person, in my opinion.
In hindsight, do you wish that you had acted on the intelligence when you were briefed about the spying?
No, I don't think so. I think, you know, I think he's an honorable guy. I think he probably has an excuse for it.
Now, congressional Republicans are seeking a briefing from Huang on November 18th. Beijing rejects the allegations, and Nvidia says it has no reason to believe that any secrets were compromised. But no doubt there's much more to come on this story. Will Ripley, CNN, Taipei.
