US intelligence agencies have identified NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang as a target of a Chinese government espionage operation, according to a report by The New York Times. The revelation adds a significant layer of complexity to the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding semiconductor technology and trade.
Surveillance of Alice Huang
Intelligence officials monitored Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen and executive at the Singapore-based data center firm Megaspeed. Surveillance efforts revealed that she had contact with Jensen Huang. US agencies concluded that Alice Huang is an intelligence asset for Beijing. She is suspected of helping to steer advanced NVIDIA chips into China despite export restrictions.
Megaspeed’s Malaysian subsidiary purchased at least $4.8 billion in NVIDIA-based equipment in less than two years. The New York Times described this volume of business as unusual for a relatively small and obscure company. Alice Huang served as the CEO of Megaspeed. Corporate records listed her as managing director for the first eight months before removing her from that title.
A Chinese investment fund where she previously worked described her as a former television reporter. The newspaper was unable to verify this background. A photograph posted to LinkedIn in 2024 shows Alice Huang sitting close to Jensen Huang at an event with other AI executives. This image appeared shortly before Megaspeed began its large-scale chip purchases.
No Action Taken by White House
The most striking aspect of the report is the lack of response from the White House. President Trump was briefed on the matter a year ago. He decided to take no action. Jensen Huang never received a defensive briefing, which is a standard procedure to warn Americans targeted by foreign spies.
It remains unclear why the administration chose inaction. The report suggests Trump may have been wary of disrupting NVIDIA’s chip sales or complicating trade relations with China. This stance persists despite his history of launching a trade war with China through tariffs. Officials may also have feared that briefing Jensen Huang could alert Alice Huang, who remains under surveillance.
The report does not specify what information Alice Huang may have passed to Beijing. The full details of the intelligence findings are contained in the original New York Times article.
Source: Engadget
