Suspicion of espionage: Did Jensen Huang have an affair with a spy? – Nvidia wants to examine media reports

New York. US chipmaker Nvidia has launched an investigation into reports that company boss Jensen Huang was the target of foreign espionage activities. The investigation should be conducted by members of the board of directors and external investigators, Nvidia said.

In recent days there have been media reports that Huang had a relationship with a woman who, according to US security circles, was recruited by Chinese intelligence. Huang confirmed in an email to Nvidia employees that he had had an affair. “I owe my family and all of you an apology,” he wrote. “I was unfaithful to my wife.”

The “Financial Times” had previously reported on the love affair. In an initial reaction from Nvidia to the reports a few days ago, it was said that these were normal contacts with a representative of an Nvidia customer company.

Market observers are now preparing for a turbulent start to the week. At Nvidia it is now about the so-called key person risk, said capital market expert Mohamed El-Erian, who advises Allianz, among others. This is about the extreme dependence on a single key person for the success of the company and the share. “It is doubtful whether the markets have adequately priced in this risk.”