An investigation has been launched into the alleged smuggling of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) chips from the United States to China. US authorities are investigating crimes such as espionage and the collection of trade secrets in this case. The news is linked to the famous chip manufacturer Nvidia. US investigative agencies have focused on Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman who is a close friend of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
Who is Alice Huang?
Alice Huang works as a senior executive at a Singapore-based data center company called Megaspeed. She is a Chinese citizen. Alice’s company has ties to the global AI chip supply chain. There are suspicions that she is collecting trade details for China. Apart from this, The New York Times has revealed that she has close ties to Nvidia chief Jensen Huang.
Meanwhile, MegaSpeed is buying computing equipment powered by Nvidia chips. It then rents out the data center capacity to other companies. Chinese tech giant Alibaba is also reportedly using the company’s services. The investigation is being conducted to see if Chinese companies have evaded US export restrictions on advanced AI chips through companies operating in Southeast Asia.
At the time of the investigation, Alice Huang was a senior executive at MegaSpeed. The company has business ties with Nvidia. Due to this, she is reported to have developed close ties with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
How did Alice become suspicious?
Alice Huang is being investigated over concerns that advanced Nvidia chips are reaching China. The US has imposed restrictions on the export of advanced AI chips for national security reasons. Authorities are investigating whether China, which cannot directly obtain this technology due to these sanctions, will obtain it through other means. In fact, the investigation into Megaspeed began in 2024.
An official from the US Department of Commerce found Nvidia equipment in boxes during a visit to the Megaspeed data center in Malaysia. However, questions arose as to whether they were intended to be installed there or moved elsewhere. The purchases of a Malaysian company affiliated with Megaspeed were also investigated. Trade records show that the company purchased at least $4.8 billion worth of advanced AI equipment, including advanced Nvidia chips and technology, between June 2024 and February 2026. US officials suspect that the chips may have been diverted to China through this network. Alice Huang was questioned and released by Singaporean authorities in 2025.
How did Nvidia respond?
Nvidia has denied reports that its contacts with Alice Huang were unusual or that it provided sensitive company information to MegaSpeed. In a statement to the New York Times, Nvidia spokesman John Rizzo said that holding meetings with customers was part of the CEO’s normal duties. The company said Jensen’s interactions with Alice Huang were normal.