Nvidia CEO and co-founder Jensen Huang has resigned from his positions as president, chief executive officer and board member, effective immediately, following mounting controversy over two reported extramarital affairs and concerns about a possible foreign intelligence operation. The company confirmed the departure on November 12, announcing that Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress would take over as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent successor. The scandal intensified after reports linked Huang to Alice Huang, an unrelated former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed International whom U.S. intelligence officials reportedly suspected of gathering information for Beijing. Additional reporting alleged that Huang had a separate relationship with a Nvidia employee who directly reported to him, although the company has not publicly confirmed those details. Huang previously acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and apologized to his family and colleagues, while Nvidia launched an independent investigation into whether he had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort. The company has said it has no reason to believe that Nvidiaโ€™s trade secrets or U.S. national security were compromised.

The departure marks a major leadership transition for Nvidia, which Huang co-founded and led for more than three decades as the company became a dominant force in the global artificial intelligence industry. Kress will retain her CFO responsibilities while serving as interim CEO, and Nvidia has appointed entrepreneur and longtime technology executive Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever chairman of the board. The company said its directors will consider both internal and external candidates for the permanent leadership position, while emphasizing that its business operations, customer commitments and technology roadmap are expected to continue without interruption. Investors have reacted sharply to the controversy, with Nvidia shares falling significantly as concerns over leadership stability and corporate governance intensified. The FBI is also examining whether Huang was targeted in a foreign intelligence operation, adding a national security dimension to the crisis surrounding the semiconductor giant. Huangโ€™s sudden exit leaves Nvidia facing a critical succession challenge at a time when its chips remain central to the global AI race.