Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang faces investigation over affair with suspected Chinese spy

One of the most powerful figures in the tech industry is now at the center of a national security controversy. Santa Clara-based AI chipmaker NVIDIA is now investigating its own CEO and co-founder, Jensen Huang, into whether he was the target of a foreign intelligence effort after he acknowledged having an affair with a woman who may be a Chinese spy. Now, as of now, NVIDIA's board says it does not believe any of the company's valuable information was actually Actually, it leaked to China. The company releasing a statement reading in part here, the board prioritizes U.S. national and economic security, which is paramount to the interest of NVIDIA and its shareholders. While the board has no reason to believe that either national security or NVIDIA secrets were compromised, the board's inquiry will examine all available information. Jensen fully supports the review and has committed to cooperating with it. Well, today's revelation is raising troubling possibilities due to Jensen Huang's stature in the AI industry. KTVU's Betty Yu joins us live tonight here in studio with more on what could be at stake and also reaction from the president. Betty. Mike, this controversy was already getting attention in Washington before today's announcement. Just days ago, three Republican congressional committee chairmen requested a closed-door briefing with Wang over his reported ties to the suspected Chinese intelligence operative. This photo posted to LinkedIn by tech company NetThunder shows NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang with Alice Huang, no relation, a Chinese business executive whom U.S. intelligence officials have reportedly identified as an intelligence asset working for Beijing. In a message to NVIDIA employees, the CEO wrote, I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry. NVIDIA's board is investigating reports that he was the target of a foreign intelligence operation. But this is very, very concerning because of who he was having an affair with. With, you know. The company she works for had been flagged as possibly working with Chinese intelligence with the Chinese government. And one has to assume That she probably was, this was part of a Chinese intelligence gathering operation, whether it was for compromising him, influencing his decisions. The woman was an executive at Megaspeed, a major NVIDIA customer in Southeast Asia. According to the New York Times, the company purchased more than $4.8 billion worth of NVIDIA chips over two years. Experts say the concern goes beyond whether any secrets were stolen. Media is. Light years ahead in the development of the chips. There's certain ways, certain designs, certain programs, internal tools that nobody knows about it except the people who work at NVIDIA. And China would like to know about that. That's gonna help them accelerate their development, understand what is next so they can gain advantage in the United States and stop relying on NVIDIA chips. President Trump asked about the controversy Sunday, praised Huang. I just know he's a fine person, but you never know what is going on. What's going on? I'm sure, I hope everything's fine. He's done such an incredible job and And, uh... So I would certainly hope that he's a fine person, in my opinion. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Warned top Trump administration officials about Huang's relationship with the suspected Chinese spy months ago. He was asked about the matter Sunday. Yeah, I can't comment on any of that. I just can't comment because of the nature of it. And I also can't comment on an internal corporate matter that's going on with NVIDIA, as you highlight. I don't know anything about that part of it, so. Experts say this case could serve as a warning to other American leaders. It'll be a cautionary tale. For everybody as to what Chinese intelligence is capable of doing, certainly not just for the business community, but also within government. And President Trump has also asked whether Huang would still be welcome on his trip to Asia next week. The president said he would certainly be open to bringing him. Meantime, congressional leaders have requested that Huang brief them on November 18th and respond to that request by the 11th. He will remain CEO during this investigation. Mike. Yeah, we'll see how the stock reforms come tomorrow morning as well and whether or not the story plays a role there. Betty, thank you.