Who could replace Jensen Huang as Nvidia CEO?

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has yet to announce a successor, but analysts and investors believe two individuals could be potential candidates to replace him in the short term: engineer Ian Buck and chief financial officer Colette Kress. The company's board is set to meet on Wednesday to discuss whether to remove Mr Huang, who is currently under scrutiny for reports of two extramarital affairs involving him.

Analysts fear replacing such a charismatic, influential leader could be extremely challenging, as Huang has been instrumental in turning Nvidia into the world's most valuable company.

Colette Kress, a 59-year-old Nvidia veteran with a long history at other tech giants like Microsoft, Cisco, and Texas Instruments, is a strong contender to serve as interim CEO. Her familiarity with the company and her role in presenting quarterly results alongside Huang make her a trusted voice in the market. Some board members even favor appointing her as interim CEO.

Another likely candidate is Ian Buck, Nvidia's former software platform head and a key contributor to the development of AI on Nvidia chips. With a PhD from Stanford and a deep understanding of the company's technology, Buck's technical expertise could prove crucial in guiding Nvidia's future development, especially if the board opts for an internal replacement.

Speculation on who might be considered if Huang is removed includes potential outsiders like Arm CEO Rene Haas. However, little is known about these external candidates, and it remains uncertain if the board will choose one of them or select an internal leader like Kress or Buck. As Nvidia's dominance in the AI processor market continues, the question of leadership succession remains a matter of great concern for investors and analysts alike.