AI firms hire ex-spies as Nvidia ousts CEO over alleged Chinese spy affair

AI firms are hiring former intelligence operatives to counter espionage threats, a risk highlighted after Nvidia ousted CEO Jensen Huang following reports of affairs, including one with an alleged Chinese spy. Huang stepped down Thursday; Nvidia denied security compromises, and China rejected the allegations. Recruiters and insiders say chip and AI companies have expanded security hiring, with counterintelligence roles at firms like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Nvidia paying $200,000 to $500,000. Experts note demand outstrips supply, as firms seek to spot threats like trade-secret theft or executive blackmail. OpenAI appointed ex-NSA director Paul Nakasone to its board, while Anthropic added former CIA and NSA officials to an advisory council. ASML hired a former Dutch military intelligence deputy, though ex-security chiefs say most companies still ignore executive-targeting risks, with security teams lacking authority over leadership behavior.