Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits affair, board to launch investigation
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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admitted to having a romantic relationship with a suspected Chinese spy in a message to his company, and the company's board announced an independent investigation Sunday.
Why it matters: The scandal raises national security concerns involving one of the world's most powerful tech CEOs, who has pushed to loosen restrictions on selling advanced AI chips to China amid the two countries' race for technological dominance.
Driving the news: "I owe my family and all of you an apology," Huang wrote in a draft email to Nvidia employees obtained by Axios.
- "I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did."
- Huang said he took "full responsibility" for his actions, adding that he had fallen short of his responsibilities to Nvidia's employees, board and shareholders.
- "Leading NVIDIA is the privilege of my life," Huang wrote. "I am fully committed to NVIDIA and will work to earn back your confidence."
Meanwhile: Nvidia's board said an independent committee, assisted by outside counsel, will investigate the matter.
- The board said it has no reason to believe national security or company secrets were compromised and expressed confidence in Huang's leadership.
Zoom out: Huang has been a key voice in Washington pushing to loosen restrictions on AI chip sales to China.
- He argued that keeping American technology in the Chinese market strengthens U.S. competitiveness and prevented China from developing their own potentially more advanced chips.
Flashback: Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned top Trump officials about Huang's relationship with a woman U.S. intelligence officials believed was a Chinese spy, The New York Times reported Friday.
- The woman, Alice Huang, was recruited to seek information and potentially push for Nvidia's advanced chips to be made available in China, countering existing restrictions, the Times reported.
What they're saying: "Today's news will not slow NVIDIA. Jensen is committed to continuing to lead NVIDIA as CEO without interruption," John Rizzo, head of public policy communications at Nvidia said in a statement.
