Nvidia opens investigation after report CEO Jensen Huang was target of foreign intelligence

CEO reportedly had close relationship with a Chinese businesswoman who passed information to Beijing

Nvidia said ⁠on Sunday it “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 New York Times reported in October that Donald Trump had been briefed last year on intelligence that Huang had a close relationship with a Chinese businesswoman who passed information to Beijing.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump downplayed the revelations about Huang, who is an influential adviser to the president on artificial intelligence, saying: “I think he’s an honorable guy. I think he probably has an excuse for it.”