Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang resigned on Thursday, November 12, ending his 33-year leadership of the artificial intelligence chipmaker amid mounting controversy over reports of two extramarital affairs, including one involving a businesswoman suspected by US intelligence agencies of having links to China.
According to the company’s board, Huang has stepped down from all three of his positions as president, CEO and board member, with immediate effect. Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has been appointed interim CEO while the board begins searching for a permanent successor.
The departure marks a dramatic leadership change at one of the world’s most influential technology companies and removes a prominent Silicon Valley figure who had developed close ties with US President Donald Trump.
Huang’s resignation follows days of growing scrutiny over his personal relationships and potential national security implications arising from his reported association with Alice Huang, a Singapore-based businesswoman whose activities have attracted the attention of US intelligence agencies.
The New York Times reported that Huang had an affair with Alice Huang, whom US intelligence officials reportedly suspected of acting on behalf of Beijing. The newspaper subsequently reported on Wednesday that Huang had also been involved in a relationship with an Nvidia executive.
The allegations prompted Nvidia’s board to launch an independent investigation into whether its founder had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation and whether the reported relationship created potential risks for the company or US national security.
In a statement issued on November 8, Nvidia’s board said an independent committee, supported by outside legal counsel, would oversee the investigation. The board said it had no reason to believe that either national security or Nvidia’s confidential information had been compromised.
Huang had agreed to cooperate with the investigation, and the board initially expressed confidence in his leadership. However, the controversy intensified as additional reports emerged about his personal relationships.
President Trump had previously defended Huang following the initial revelations involving Alice Huang, describing him as a “high quality person” who was “suffering greatly.” Trump’s remarks highlighted the close relationship between the president and the Nvidia founder, who had been among the technology industry’s most influential advocates for artificial intelligence development and US semiconductor leadership.
Despite the political support, Huang faced increasing pressure from lawmakers and other stakeholders to address questions surrounding his relationship with the businesswoman and the potential implications for Nvidia’s operations.
Nvidia and Huang also faced a shareholder lawsuit alleging that the company failed to disclose relevant information about the relationship. The legal challenge followed a sharp decline in Nvidia’s share price, with the stock reportedly falling around 5% amid the controversy.
The leadership transition comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Nvidia, whose advanced graphics processing units have become essential to the global artificial intelligence industry. The company is a central supplier to major technology firms developing AI models, data centres and cloud computing infrastructure.
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 with Curtis Priem and Chris Malachowsky. Originally known for producing graphics processors for computer gaming, the company transformed itself into a dominant force in artificial intelligence through its GPU technology and CUDA software platform.
Over more than three decades, Huang became closely associated with Nvidia’s technological strategy, corporate culture and expansion into the AI market. His departure therefore raises questions about the company’s succession planning and its ability to maintain its technological direction without its longtime leader.
Kress, who joined Nvidia in September 2013, brings extensive experience in corporate finance and technology-sector management. Before joining Nvidia, she spent nearly 25 years working in finance positions at major technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft.
She has played a central role in managing Nvidia’s finances during its rapid expansion driven by demand for AI chips.
“NVIDIA’s strength has always come from its people, and together with our leadership team, I am committed to building on the extraordinary foundation Jensen created over the last 33 years,” Kress said in a statement.
The board has also appointed Harvey C. Jones as Nvidia’s first-ever chairman. The appointment represents another significant change in the company’s governance structure as it navigates the leadership transition and the continuing investigation.
