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Reports say a US intelligence memo claimed China recruited a Megaspeed executive to spy on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
A memo reportedly based on U.S. intelligence claimed China's Ministry of State Security enlisted an Nvidia customer's executive to gather chip information. Three House committees now want Jensen Huang to brief them.
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What happened
A memo that circulated earlier this year claimed that China's Ministry of State Security recruited a technology executive to spy on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, TechCrunch reported, citing multiple media reports. The New York Times was the first to report on the memo, which was reportedly based on U.S. intelligence.
The executive works at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based company that is an Nvidia customer, according to TechCrunch and The Verge. She has not been charged with any crime in the reporting provided. The Verge noted that she and Jensen Huang share a last name but are not related.
What the memo reportedly claims
Who the executive is
According to The Verge, the Times reported that the Megaspeed executive has "relationships with executives at the highest levels of the A.I. chip industry," including leaders at Gigabyte. The Times described her relationship with Jensen Huang as "close," The Verge reported.
TechCrunch reported that the Financial Times later said the memo also claimed Jensen Huang had a romantic relationship with the executive.
What China allegedly wanted
The Verge, citing the Times, reported that the Ministry of State Security enlisted the executive to gather information about American AI chips. The agency also wanted her to "potentially influence the company to push for its most advanced chips to be made available to China," according to the Times as quoted by The Verge.
How the story developed
The Times had earlier reported that Jensen Huang was seen as the target of a "Chinese spy plot" and described his relationship with the executive, The Verge said. The claim that China's intelligence agency had recruited her was new in the latest reporting.
How Nvidia responded
An Nvidia spokesperson told the Times that Jensen Huang's interactions with the executive were "not unusual," according to TechCrunch. The spokesperson also said the company does not share classified information with its customers.
The spokesperson added that Nvidia sells "the first, best and most of our technology in America," TechCrunch reported.
Congress and the White House
House committees request a briefing
Three House committees have asked Jensen Huang to appear for a joint, closed-door briefing on his "interactions" with the executive, The Verge reported. The outlet did not say when that briefing might take place.
Trump was briefed last year
President Trump, who The Verge described as friendly with Jensen Huang, was briefed last year about the relationship. According to The Verge, he did not take any action. More national political coverage is available in our national news section.
Separate questions about chip sales to China
In a separate report, the Times examined New Matrix, a Chinese company the U.S. Commerce Department authorized to buy advanced Nvidia chips, TechCrunch reported. At the office address New Matrix listed, reporters found only "a hollow gray shell."
That finding raised concerns that New Matrix could be a front for a blacklisted private equity firm, according to TechCrunch. For more on the companies shaping artificial intelligence, see our AI and tech coverage.
What to watch next
- Whether Jensen Huang appears for the joint, closed-door briefing requested by three House committees.
- Any further reporting on the U.S. intelligence memo and its claims about China's Ministry of State Security.
- Questions about whether New Matrix, which was authorized by the Commerce Department to buy advanced Nvidia chips, is a front for a blacklisted firm.
