Nvidia’s board has opened an independent investigation into reports that founder and CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. Huang has apologized to employees after acknowledging an extramarital relationship, while the company says it has no reason to believe U.S. national security or Nvidia’s confidential information has been compromised. Huang supports the review and says he will cooperate. Its findings could affect scrutiny of Nvidia’s governance and leadership, but the allegations have not been verified.
Nvidia board launches independent review
Nvidia said Sunday that its board would conduct an independent investigation into recent reports concerning Huang. A company spokesperson said Huang would remain CEO and continue leading the company without interruption.
The company said the board had no reason to believe that U.S. national security or Nvidia’s confidential information had been harmed. Huang supports the investigation and has pledged to cooperate. Nvidia has not announced a timetable, described the review’s scope or named the external party conducting it.
Huang apologizes to his family
In a memo to employees, Huang acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and apologized to her and their children. He wrote that his actions had hurt his family and that “there is no excuse,” adding that they deserved his honesty and loyalty. He said he had let them down and was “deeply sorry.”
The disclosure about Huang’s personal relationship is separate from the foreign intelligence allegations under review; it does not establish those claims as fact. So far, Nvidia has announced the investigation and Huang’s commitment to cooperate. No public findings show that confidential information was leaked or national security affected.
U.S. lawmakers seek answers
Earlier allegations that Huang had a close relationship with Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang, who was said to have passed information to Beijing, have drawn attention in Washington. Several senior Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives have asked Huang to brief Congress this month. The claims remain subject to investigation, and available information does not indicate that a congressional hearing or inquiry has reached a conclusion.
Huang has led Nvidia since co-founding the company in 1993. Nvidia began as a graphics-chip maker and is now a major supplier of processors used to develop and run artificial intelligence systems. Because Huang is both the company’s founder and CEO, the investigation may also draw investor attention to governance and management stability.
Nvidia shares and trading data
Nvidia shares were quoted at $186.64, up $5.04, or 2.78%. In after-hours trading, the stock was quoted at $183.04, down $3.60, or 1.93%. The quote page listed November 6 as the trading date. The available data do not establish a link between the share-price moves and news of the investigation.
Nvidia says Huang will remain in his role and that it has no reason to believe national security or company confidential information has been compromised. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations and their implications remain unverified.