Nvidia CEO linked to alleged China spy operation over AI chip access promises

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is linked to an alleged Chinese espionage operation involving Alice Huang, who reportedly promised investors access to advanced AI chips for a Southeast Asian data centre project, with Alibaba as a potential client. Alice Huang and partner Kang Wei pitched the multi-million-dollar project, claiming they could secure Nvidia GPUs, according to the Financial Times. The proposal is significant because US export controls restrict sales of these advanced chips to certain Chinese companies, though overseas data centres may offer leasing access. Alice Huang previously worked at Singapore-based Megaspeed, whose Malaysian subsidiary received a loan from Alibaba's Singapore arm in June 2024. Megaspeed's balance sheet grew from $33 million to $3 billion in 2024, though it denies illicit activity involving Nvidia chips.