Jensen Huang Leaves Nvidia Amid Spy and Affair Allegations

Huang, who co-founded Nvidia in 1993, left the company after its board had first backed him and then convened for an hours-long meeting. He apologized to Nvidia employees on Sunday for being unfaithful to his wife, Lori Huang, and said his actions had hurt his family. Nvidia is valued at about $4 trillion; the allegations were followed by a reported $450 billion drop in its market value.

U.S. intelligence officials reportedly concluded that Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen and former Megaspeed executive, had used her relationship with Huang to pass information to Beijing. The FBI is investigating the relationship. Huang and Alice Huang are not related. President Donald Trump has said he believes the investigation will not uncover criminal conduct.

The allegations have prompted calls for Huang to answer questions in Congress. Three Republican House committee chairs requested a closed-door briefing for November 18 on Nvidia’s security protocols and Huang’s interactions with Alice Huang, citing concerns about China’s ability to obtain confidential American technology and information.

Separate allegations concerned Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s executive overseeing health care, who reports to Huang. A New York Times story said the pair were affectionate at a San Jose hotel during Nvidia’s developer conference in March. Nvidia’s conduct code warns employees about conflicts of interest involving personal relationships. Huang did not address the allegation directly when contacted by the newspaper.

The board’s decision followed reports of the allegations and its earlier expression of support for Huang. Huang’s departure comes as scrutiny grows over his relationship with Alice Huang and Nvidia’s business with China, including efforts to ease U.S. restrictions on chip sales.

Nvidia’s China Ties Demand Answers After Huang’s Exit

The departure of Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang comes amid serious questions about whether a relationship with a suspected Chinese spy put sensitive U.S. technology at risk. U.S. intelligence officials reportedly concluded Alice Huang used her ties to the CEO to funnel information to Beijing, and the FBI is investigating.

Huang apologized to Nvidia employees on Sunday for being unfaithful to his wife. He also faces separate allegations of an affair with Kimberly Powell, a vice president who reports to him. The company’s conduct code warns employees about conflicts of interest tied to personal relationships. Huang did not directly address the Powell allegation when contacted by the New York Times.

The national security questions extend beyond personal conduct. Huang had sought to ease U.S. restrictions on Nvidia chip sales to China, and three House committee chairs have asked him to attend a closed-door briefing on November 18. They say Congress must assess whether U.S. security was put at risk and learn about safeguards against foreign espionage.

Nvidia’s board initially stood by Huang before turning to an hours-long meeting and his departure. The company’s market value reportedly fell by $450 billion amid the allegations. With the FBI investigation continuing and Congress seeking answers, scrutiny of the company’s China ties and protections for sensitive technology is warranted.

Huang’s Exit Raises Stakes in U.S. Fight Over China Chips

Jensen Huang’s departure from Nvidia puts a major American technology company under renewed scrutiny as Washington weighs the risks of China gaining access to sensitive U.S. technology. U.S. intelligence officials reportedly believe Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen and former Megaspeed executive, used her relationship with the Nvidia chief to pass information to Beijing. The FBI is investigating.

Three Republican House committee chairs have requested a closed-door briefing with Huang for November 18, asking about his interactions with Alice Huang and Nvidia’s protections against espionage. Their request reflects the stakes: Congress needs to establish whether national security was endangered as Nvidia sought to ease restrictions on chip sales to China.

Huang apologized to Nvidia employees on Sunday for being unfaithful to his wife. Separate allegations say he had an affair with Kimberly Powell, a senior Nvidia executive who reports to him. The company’s conduct code cautions against conflicts of interest involving personal relationships. Huang did not directly address the claim when contacted by the New York Times.

Nvidia’s board initially expressed support for Huang, then met for hours before he left the company. The allegations have coincided with a reported $450 billion decline in Nvidia’s market value. The FBI inquiry and the requested congressional briefing will put the company’s China-related security practices under further examination.