The FBI is investigating Alice Huang's alleged Chinese intelligence links as Jensen Huang leaves Nvidia. The controversy has intensified scrutiny of foreign influence risks and advanced chip exports.Alice Huang (left), Jensen Huang (right).The US Justice Department has not reached a conclusion on whether Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang was a spy working for Beijing, Attorney General Todd Blanche on Thursday said, while the FBI continues to investigate reports of her alleged links to Chinese intelligence.Blanche's remarks came amid a widening controversy surrounding Nvidia and its former chief executive Jensen Huang, who stepped down on Thursday following revelations about his relationships, including one with Alice Huang, a businesswoman suspected by US intelligence agencies of spying for China.Asked about the allegations, Blanche told reporters at a press conference that the FBI was investigating reports that Alice Huang had been working for the Chinese government.
However, he stressed that the Justice Department had not yet determined whether she was a Chinese spy.The developments come as Nvidia grapples with the fallout from the scandal, which has raised questions about possible foreign intelligence operations targeting senior executives of a company central to the global artificial intelligence industry and the US-China technology rivalry. JENSEN HUANG'S RELATIONSHIPS UNDER SCRUTINYThe controversy first gained attention following reports in October 2025 linking Jensen Huang, who is married, to Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed, an official Nvidia cloud partner with access to its chips.Subsequent reports said US intelligence officials suspected Alice Huang of working for Chinese intelligence.
The allegations raised concerns about whether her business connections with Nvidia could have exposed sensitive information or helped China gain access to advanced artificial intelligence chips restricted under US export controls. Alice Huang may also have held stakes in Chinese businesses that benefited Huawei, Nvidia's major competitor in China, CNBC reported, citing research by private intelligence firm Tesari.
Reuters could not independently verify the report.The controversy deepened on Wednesday after The New York Times reported that Jensen Huang had also been involved in an intimate relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia's vice-president of healthcare, who reported to him. Reuters subsequently reported the second relationship, citing two people familiar with the matter.
Nvidia declined to comment.Huang, 63, had acknowledged being unfaithful in a message to colleagues earlier this week, apologising to his family and employees as the company's board launched an independent investigation into whether he had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.NVIDIA CONFIRMS HUANG'S EXIT, NAMES INTERIM CEONvidia announced on Thursday that Huang had resigned as president, chief executive and a member of its board, bringing an end to his more than three-decade leadership of the chipmaker he co-founded.The company's board appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO while it searches for a permanent replacement. The search will consider both internal and external candidates.
Longtime board member Harvey Jones, a former Synopsys chief executive, was named the company's first board chair.Earlier this month, Nvidia's board had initiated an independent investigation, overseen by independent directors and outside legal counsel, into whether Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. At the time, the board expressed confidence in him.Huang's departure has raised questions about the future of Nvidia, one of the biggest beneficiaries of the global AI boom.
He played a central role in building the company into a dominant supplier of advanced chips used to power artificial intelligence systems.Nvidia shares fell as much as 14 per cent during Thursday's trading session before recovering some losses.US-CHINA CHIP TRADE AND TRUMP TIES UNDER FOCUSThe controversy has also brought renewed scrutiny to Washington's approach to exporting advanced AI chips to China, as well as Huang's close relationship with US President Donald Trump.Huang had been a prominent advocate of maintaining access to the Chinese market, arguing that US chipmakers should be allowed to compete there. His position had drawn criticism from lawmakers concerned about China's access to advanced American technology.The developments have also put Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick under scrutiny.
Both Lutnick and Huang had supported relaxing restrictions on chip sales to China, despite opposition from lawmakers who have advocated tighter export controls.Senior White House officials were discussing whether Lutnick should be removed from his position, Reuters reported, citing two people familiar with the matter. The White House, however, said Trump continued to have complete confidence in the Commerce Secretary.Meanwhile, Huang had agreed to testify before Congress before Thanksgiving, CNBC reported.
US lawmakers have been seeking answers about his relationship with Alice Huang, Nvidia's business dealings and the potential national security implications.The controversy has also drawn attention to Singapore-based Megaspeed, which has been investigated over suspicions that it helped China obtain advanced AI chips restricted under US export controls.Beijing has rejected allegations that Alice Huang was a Chinese spy. - EndsWith inputs from