Nvidia launches 'foreign intelligence' investigation after CEO admits affair

Tech giant Nvidia says it is investigating reports that CEO Jensen ⁠Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence effort.

Writing to colleagues Mr Huang, one of the most important people in the AI industry, has admitted to an affair.

It comes after a New York Times report in October alleged Mr Huang, 63, had a close relationship with a Chinese ​businesswoman who passed information to Beijing.

The US-based company says it is initiating an independent investigation, while top Republican lawmakers in ​the US House of Representatives have ‌called on the CEO to brief Congress this month about the claims.

"The Nvidia board is initiating an independent investigation in light of recent reporting that founder and CEO Jensen Huang has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort," the board said in a statement on Sunday.

"A committee of independent directors, assisted by outside independent counsel, will oversee the investigation."

It added: "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."

Mr Huang, who at first denied the reports of an affair, fully ‌supports the review and has committed to cooperating with it, it said.

In a memo to Nvidia employees shared by the company with Sky's US partner NBC News, Mr Huang said: "I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did.

"To my wife and family: I love you. I know an apology cannot undo what I have done. I hope our family will heal and that, over time, I can earn back your trust."

Mr Huang went on to say those at the company "deserve better from me" and that he was "fully committed to Nvidia and will work to earn back your confidence".

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An Nvidia spokesperson said Mr Huang ⁠was "committed to continuing to lead Nvidia as CEO ​without interruption".

Nvidia is the world's second-largest publicly traded company as of Friday, worth nearly $4.5 trillion (around £3.37 trillion) - up 500% from five years prior.

Originally a maker of graphics hardware for gamers, Nvidia now provides the chips that power AI systems such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, as well as the UK's most powerful supercomputer.

China has long sought to become a global leader in AI, with President Xi Jinping having set a 2030 deadline to surpass the capabilities of American AI systems.

(c) Sky News 2026: Nvidia launches 'foreign intelligence' investigation after CEO admits affair