What we know — and what we don’t — as Nvidia investigates an alleged spy plot involving its CEO

Nvidia’s board has opened an independent investigation into reports that its founder and chief executive, Jensen Huang, may have been the target of a foreign intelligence effort. The allegations have drawn attention because Nvidia’s advanced chips are central to the artificial intelligence industry and the company has a prominent role in US technology and national security debates.

Huang acknowledged having an affair and apologised to his wife, family and colleagues, while saying he would co-operate with the investigation; Nvidia says he will remain chief executive. The board said it had no reason to believe national security or company secrets were compromised. The New York Times reported that the person involved was Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen and former executive at Megaspeed International, which reportedly bought more than $4.8 billion of Nvidia chips over two years; China has rejected the spying allegations as unfounded.