NYT: China's intelligence agency used an AI executive to spy on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang

What's at the center of the claim?

According to The New York Times, China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) recruited Megaspeed executive Alice Huang to gather information about Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The Verge summarized the report.

The alleged goal was twofold: to glean information about American AI chips and to potentially influence the company to push for its most advanced chips to be made available to China.

Why it matters

Megaspeed is an Nvidia customer. Alice Huang is also said to have relationships with executives at the highest levels of the AI chip industry, including leaders at Gigabyte, which makes the allegation broader than a single individual.

The details come from NYT's reporting and have not been independently confirmed by authorities.

Background

Last week, the NYT reported that Jensen Huang was seen as the target of a "Chinese spy plot." The development puts Nvidia in an even more sensitive position amid the US-China chip rivalry.