AI billionaire who opposed safety regulations admits affair with suspected Chinese spy

Nvidia launches probe after affair with suspected spy

And there is another detail that makes the story particularly interesting.

Huang has spent years arguing against US restrictions on selling advanced AI chips to China, warning that they could actually help Beijing develop its own technology.

Now, the company he founded more than 30 years ago has launched an independent investigation into whether he was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation.

What happened? 

According to the New York Times, Huang had a relationship with Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman and former executive at Singapore-based technology company Megaspeed.

US intelligence officials reportedly concluded that she had been passing information to Beijing.

Megaspeed, which buys Nvidia's advanced AI chips, has also faced scrutiny over suspicions that it helped China obtain technology restricted from export.

On Sunday (8 November), Huang, 63, admitted in a message to employees that he had been unfaithful to his wife.

"There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry," he said.

He apologised to his family and colleagues and promised to cooperate with the investigation.

Why is this such a big deal? 

Nvidia makes the powerful chips that companies such as OpenAI use to develop artificial intelligence.

That puts Huang at the centre of a growing technological rivalry between the US and China.

Washington has restricted exports of some advanced AI chips to China over national security concerns.

But Huang has repeatedly criticised those restrictions, arguing that they could backfire by encouraging Chinese companies to develop competing technology.

He has also lobbied Donald Trump's administration to ease restrictions on chip sales to China.

There is no evidence that Huang's position on these restrictions was influenced by his relationship with Alice Huang, or that he knowingly helped Chinese intelligence.

China has rejected the spying allegations.

What has Nvidia said? 

Nvidia confirmed on Sunday that its board had opened an independent investigation into reports that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.

The company said it had no reason to believe that its secrets or US national security had been compromised.

However, it said the inquiry would examine all available information.

Huang has promised to cooperate fully and will remain Nvidia's chief executive while the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has defended the billionaire, describing him as an honourable person.

The US president said he had not discussed the allegations with Huang and wanted to hear his explanation.