Source: Sharecast
Speaking to reporters at a White House press briefing on Monday, the US president said he heard about the issue "not too long ago", adding: "We’ll look into it. I know the FBI is looking into it in terms of something else."
He also said he had spoken to Huang, with whom he has a close relationship. "I asked him that question, ‘did you have any ideas she was a spy?’. He said ‘I had no idea she was a spy’ and I really believe him.
"When I heard about it, I was amazed because I view him as a high-quality person."
It was widely reported over the weekend that Huang had an extra-marital relationship with Alice Huang. An executive at Singapore-based Nvidia customer Megaspeed, US officials believe was she recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security intelligence agency. Beijing has denied the accusations.
Neither the company nor Huang named the woman. However, in a memo to all staff, the Nvidia founder - who has led the AI giant for more than 30 years - admitted: "I owe my family and all of you an apology. 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.
"I love our country and our company. I am committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting America’s national security."
Nvidia confirmed the board would open an independent investigation "in light of recent reporting that…Huang has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort".
"The board prioritises US national and economic security, which is paramount to the interests of Nvidia and its shareholders. While the board has no reason to believe that either national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, the board’s inquiry will examine all available information. Jensen fully supports the review and has committed to cooperating with it." It has so far declined to comment on a potential FBI investigation.
Shares in Nvidia, which has a market capitalisation of more than $4trn, fell 4% on Wall Street on Monday in response to news of the affair.