Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has resigned amid affairs scandal.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Jensen Huang, the Chief Executive Officer of American technology giant Nvidia, has resigned following reports of two alleged extramarital affairs, including one involving a woman suspected of having links to Chinese intelligence.
Nvidia announced the leadership change on Thursday, saying its Chief Financial Officer, Colette Kress, had agreed to serve as interim CEO pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
The company’s board said it had commenced a search for a new chief executive and would consider both internal and external candidates.
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Huang’s resignation takes immediate effect following the board’s acceptance of his departure on Wednesday, November 11. He has also stepped down as a member of the company’s board.
The development follows reports by The Wall Street Journal and other international media that Huang was involved in two extramarital relationships, one with a woman reportedly suspected by US authorities of having links to Chinese intelligence, and another with an Nvidia employee.
Huang had reportedly admitted to being unfaithful to his wife and apologised to his family and Nvidia employees. He also indicated his willingness to cooperate with the company’s investigation into the matter.
Nvidia’s board had launched an investigation following the initial allegations, which raised concerns about possible national security implications because of the company’s strategic role in the global artificial intelligence and semiconductor industries.
The controversy has also unsettled investors, with Nvidia shares recording significant losses amid concerns about the leadership crisis.
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and led the company through its transformation into one of the world’s most influential manufacturers of artificial intelligence chips.
Kress, who has served as Nvidia’s Chief Financial Officer since 2013, will retain that position while overseeing the company as interim CEO.
The board also appointed longtime director Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever chairman.
