Washington: In a major controversy that has sent shockwaves through the global technology sector and political circles, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has admitted to an extramarital affair with a woman suspected by US intelligence of being a Chinese spy. The revelation has triggered an independent investigation by Nvidia’s board of directors and intensified an ongoing Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) probe into potential national security breaches.
The woman at the centre of the storm is Alice Huang, a Chinese business executive with past stints at state-linked firms and a sudden elevation as the head of a Singapore-based data centre company. US intelligence agencies suspect she was gathering sensitive information for China’s Ministry of State Security, raising severe concerns about the possible leak of critical artificial intelligence (AI) chip technology, including details on Nvidia’s highly sought-after H100 and Blackwell processors.
Addressing the scandal, US President Donald Trump came out in strong defence of the tech billionaire. Speaking to reporters, Trump stated that he had spoken directly with Huang and expressed confidence in him. “I just know he is a good person,” Trump remarked, adding that Huang had no idea the woman in question was an operative. When questioned about his administration’s initial inaction after being briefed by intelligence agencies, the President defended his stance by asserting that people deserve the “benefit of the doubt”.
Meanwhile, Huang issued an emotional apology to his family, colleagues, and shareholders through an internal company email. “I have to apologise to my family and all of you. I betrayed my wife. My actions have hurt her and our children,” Huang wrote, accepting full responsibility for his personal failings. Despite the personal lapse, Huang firmly denied any corporate espionage, emphasising his loyalty to the United States. “I love my country and my company, and I am committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting America’s national security,” he stated, assuring full cooperation with the ongoing investigations.
The fallout has already impacted the markets, with Nvidia’s shares experiencing a sharp decline following the news. US congressional committees have now summoned Huang for questioning, highlighting the severe geopolitical stakes involved in the race for global AI dominance.