Honey Traps and Corporate Espionage: HiPeople Launches AI-Powered Human Security Assessments
New York City, November 2026
Following allegations involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and the espionage case linked to former Wirecard executive Jan Marsalek, the Berlin-founded AI company introduces new assessments for candidates and employees. German intelligence authorities warn that industrial espionage also threatens small and medium-sized businesses.
New York City, November 2026. Seduction, personal relationships and the deliberate cultivation of trust have long been used in intelligence operations. So-called honey traps exploit romantic or intimate relationships to obtain confidential information or create opportunities for blackmail.
Recent allegations involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who reportedly may have been targeted by such an operation, highlight the potential economic consequences. Amid the controversy, Nvidia reportedly lost approximately $430 billion in market capitalization over two trading sessions. The allegations remain unverified, and no disclosure of confidential information has been established.
The espionage case surrounding former Wirecard executive Jan Marsalek highlights another dimension of the intersection between personal networks, corporate influence and intelligence operations. British authorities have linked Marsalek to the alleged direction of a Russian espionage network. Wirecard's collapse left creditors with claims worth billions, although these losses have not been established as espionage-related.
New assessments aim to make human security risk measurable
Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions, Germany's domestic intelligence agency has warned that industrial espionage also threatens small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those operating in defense, advanced manufacturing and critical supply chains.
"At a time when Europe is focused on technological sovereignty and a fundamental shift in its security environment, companies need to take the human dimension of security much more seriously," says Sebastian Schüller, CEO and Co-Founder of HiPeople. "Honey traps don't exploit a software vulnerability. They exploit fundamentally human needs for connection, trust and recognition. The risk extends beyond global CEOs to industrial manufacturers and suppliers with strategically valuable expertise."
HiPeople is introducing AI-powered Human Risk Assessments designed to evaluate security-relevant capabilities. Through 15- to 20-minute, avatar-based simulations, candidates and employees encounter realistic situations requiring them to recognize manipulation, maintain boundaries and protect confidential information.
The assessments focus on four dimensions:
- Recognizing Manipulation: Identifying manipulation attempts, flattery and manufactured trust.
- Pushing Back on Pressure: Resisting interpersonal pressure and maintaining professional boundaries.
- Protecting Information: Safeguarding confidential information and recognizing covert information requests.
- Ethical Reliability: Demonstrating honesty, ethical judgment, and a willingness to follow security rules and procedures, even when there are personal incentives not to.
Science-based prevention beyond hiring
The assessments build on established psychological assessment methods, particularly situational judgment testing. HiPeople is developing the specialized assessments with its internal science team and evaluating their validity for specific intended applications.
"Security-relevant behavior is influenced not only by personality, but also by knowledge, experience and situational factors," says Juliette Chagnon, Assessment Scientist at HiPeople. "These factors can change over time. Organizations should therefore consider evaluating relevant capabilities not only during recruitment, but also among existing employees when responsibilities or circumstances change."
Assessment results are intended to support targeted preventive measures, including security awareness training, structured conversations and reviews of access privileges. The tools cannot reliably predict whether an individual will become the victim of a honey trap.
About HiPeople
Founded in Berlin in 2019, HiPeople helps organizations make better talent decisions through AI agents and science-based assessments. Its customers include the NFL, Lincoln Financial, DAZN, Penske Media Corp, and Superhuman.