A secret affair, whiskey dates and China spy probe

Reuters Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang 's reported association with Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang came into sharper focus after photographs and videos from two gatherings in Taipei showed the pair together, including an encounter in which she kissed him on the cheek and placed a hand on his back. The encounters, dating back to June 2024, have assumed significance following allegations that Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, was suspected by US intelligence agencies of working for Beijing. Also read: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's secret affair: Why did US intelligence suspect Alice Huang of spying for China? American officials reportedly prepared a classified assessment detailing her alleged intimate relationship with the Nvidia chief, raising concerns that she may have been recruited to gather information about one of America's most influential technology executives. The first known public photographs of the pair together date to June 2024, when they attended an evening gathering at a Taipei bar following a technology trade show. Images shared on LinkedIn by technology company NetThunder showed Huang, wearing his trademark black leather jacket, seated alongside Alice Huang and other industry executives. The group was seen drinking whiskey. Live Events They were photographed together again in May 2025, when Huang hosted a dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Taipei during Computex, a major annual technology exhibition. Livestream footage and photographs from the evening showed Alice Huang sitting close to the Nvidia chief, kissing him on the cheek and placing her hand on his back. She was also seen following Huang when he stepped outside to speak to journalists. The two subsequently left the restaurant in the same car. The encounters have become central to questions about whether the Nvidia chief was the target of a Chinese intelligence operation. The alleged relationship and its potential implications have brought renewed scrutiny to Huang's interactions with Alice Huang, particularly given Nvidia's pivotal role in the global artificial intelligence industry. Who is Alice Huang? Alice Huang is a Chinese business executive who reportedly began her career as a television journalist before moving into the technology sector. An online profile on a Chinese fund database, which AFP said it could not independently verify, listed her previous employment at HSBC and Chinese broadcasters CCTV and Hunan TV. She later became a senior executive at Megaspeed International , a Singapore-based company that rents computing power to businesses for training and running AI systems. The company describes itself as a core business partner of Nvidia's computing power cloud business in the Asia-Pacific region. Her association with Megaspeed has added another dimension to the controversy. US authorities have reportedly scrutinised the company since 2024 over suspicions that it was helping channel restricted Nvidia processors into China. Singapore authorities also reportedly questioned Alice Huang in 2025 as part of an investigation involving the company. Megaspeed was spun off from a Chinese gaming company before expanding into AI data centres. The company reportedly purchased more than $4.8 billion worth of Nvidia chips over two years. Washington restricts exports of its most advanced AI processors to China over concerns that the technology could strengthen Beijing's military and technological capabilities. Megaspeed denied allegations of illegal chip transfers in December 2025, describing Bloomberg's reporting on the matter as misleading. Nvidia has also previously said its investigations found no evidence of wrongdoing. Also read: Nvidia opens probe into CEO Jensen Huang over affair with woman suspected of spying for China Jensen Huang apologises to family, backs independent investigation In a message to Nvidia employees, Huang acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and apologised to his family, colleagues, the company's board, partners and shareholders. "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," he wrote. Huang accepted responsibility for his actions and said he hoped to regain his family's trust over time. He also addressed the national security concerns raised in media reports, confirming that Nvidia's board had initiated an independent investigation. "Regarding the national security concerns raised in news reports, NVIDIA’s Board of Directors has initiated an independent investigation. I support the investigation and will cooperate fully," he wrote. The Nvidia chief said he remained committed to protecting the company and supporting America's national security. He also asked that his family be given privacy, saying they bore no responsibility for his choices. Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel ) Read More News on Nvidia Jensen Huang Alice Huang Chinese intelligence US intelligence agencies AI technology national security Megaspeed International Taipei HSBC (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel ) Read More News on Nvidia Jensen Huang Alice Huang Chinese intelligence US intelligence agencies AI technology national security Megaspeed International Taipei HSBC Explore More Stories Sass Jordan cause of death: How did ‘Racine’ singer die after cancelling shows over ‘serious medical condition’? 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