Credit: NVIDIA
NVIDIA experienced a leadership shakeup today as Jensen Huang, the technology company's chief executive officer and co-founder, stepped down following public revelations of his extramarital affairs. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress will serve as interim CEO and retain her existing roles until the company names a permanent successor.
The controversy began on October 29, when The New York Times reported his "close relationship" with Alice Huang, whom US officials accuse of being a Chinese spy. Although Huang admitted to the affair on November 8 without naming the individual involved, NVIDIA launched an independent investigation that same day. The next day, President Donald Trump revealed the FBI was also investigating the claims, which Beijing has publicly denied. The situation further escalated on November 11 after a second New York Times report alleged Huang was having another affair, this time with an NVIDIA executive.
As the company loses its only chief executive since the company's founding, the next leader will have more oversight, as noted by the BBC. NVIDIA appointed Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever chair, whom the company introduces as an industry veteran and the former CEO and Executive Chairman of chip design software company Synopsys.