November 10, 2026, (Inside AI) — Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is facing an unusual kind of scrutiny in Taiwan, the island where he was born and where he enjoys celebrity status. Revelations of an affair with a woman who could have been a Chinese spy have triggered investigations by both Nvidia's board and the FBI, according to sources. The news has stunned the small business owners and residents of Taipei who have long treated Huang as a hometown hero.
The affair itself is a personal matter, but the espionage angle elevates it to a national security concern. Taiwan's government, already wary of Beijing's contested sovereignty claim over the island, has declined to directly address the espionage aspect. Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi told reporters at parliament on Tuesday that he could comment on neither Huang nor the woman.
"I have no evidence, nor do I have the authority to investigate," Chen said, when asked if he believed the woman was a spy.
Huang's star power in Taiwan is undeniable. Domestic media have dubbed the frenzy around his visits "Jensanity." Fans and reporters follow his every move, and his favorite haunts have become minor pilgrimage sites. The contrast between that adoration and the current scandal is stark.
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At Taipei's Siping market, where Huang inevitably stops to buy dried and candied fruit, the mood is one of disbelief. Hsiao Kui-yu, 68, who owns the Yuchan Candied Fruit shop, said she initially thought the news was fabricated.
"I thought it must be a lie, or fake news," Hsiao said. "We think of him as such a good boss, who takes such good care of people. How could something like this happen? Is it possible? I'm very suspicious."
Others expressed sympathy. Ray Wang, Huang's barber of nearly a decade, said the two formed a bond when the CEO first visited his high-end shop in 2017. Wang, 57, said he prays for Huang daily.
"Every day I pray for Mr. Huang, hoping he gets through this difficult time," Wang said. "I really want to write him a letter of encouragement, but I feel this isn't a good time, because he's very busy."
The woman at the center of the allegations has previously been pictured with Huang during his visits to Taiwan, according to sources. The FBI and Nvidia's board are investigating whether Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence effort. Neither Nvidia nor the FBI has commented publicly on the specifics.
Huang was born in Tainan, Taiwan's historic capital, before moving to the United States as a child. He has repeatedly praised the island's tech companies, including TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, for their role in the AI revolution. That close relationship makes the espionage question particularly sensitive.
Liu I-li, a 49-year-old academic waiting for a table outside a pork knuckle restaurant Huang frequents, said the affair should not define him.
"We can't judge a person by just one thing," Liu said. "We should look at them more comprehensively. Nobody is without flaws."
The investigation raises questions about the vulnerabilities of high-profile tech leaders. As AI becomes a strategic priority for governments worldwide, CEOs like Huang are potential targets for intelligence operations. The FBI's involvement suggests U.S. authorities are taking the threat seriously.
Nvidia's board has not disclosed the scope of its review. The company's stock has been volatile since the news broke, though it remains near record highs. Huang has not made a public statement beyond acknowledging the affair, according to sources.
In Taiwan, the reaction reflects a broader tension. Huang is seen as a symbol of Taiwan's tech prowess, and his personal failings are viewed with a mix of forgiveness and concern. The island's government, cautious about antagonizing either the U.S. or China, has kept its distance from the espionage question.
For now, the businesses that Huang frequents are left to wonder. Hsiao, the fruit shop owner, said she still displays photos of Huang with pride. But the news has cast a shadow.
"He's a good man," she said. "I hope this is not true."
Shamil has a low tolerance for AI that only works in controlled demos. He covers agentic systems and generative AI with the skepticism of someone who has seen too many “revolutionary” tools quietly disappear six months after launch.
