Nvidia CEO Huang quits after affair with suspected China spy
SAN FRANCISCO: Jensen Huang, the leather-jacketed architect of the artificial intelligence boom, resigned as chief executive of Nvidia on Thursday after revelations of two extramarital affairs, including one with a woman accused of spying for China.
Jensen Huang, co-founder of Nvidia, resigned as CEO on Thursday following revelations of two extramarital affairs, one involving a woman suspected of spying for China. CFO Colette Kress, who joined Nvidia in 2013, will take on interim CEO duties while the board searches for a permanent replacement. Huang, 63, relinquished his board seat, marking the end of his 33-year tenure leading the company he co-founded.
Nvidia's shares plummeted as much as 13% following the announcement, causing a loss of about US$450 billion in company value. The board appointed former Synopsys CEO Harvey Jones as chairman, confident that operations would continue uninterrupted. Former President Trump defended Huang and suggested former Apple CEO Tim Cook should assume the role.
The spy allegations stem from a suspected Chinese intelligence asset, with Trump urging answers from the administration regarding their knowledge of Huang's ties to the accused asset.
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