Nvidia CEO and co-founder Jensen Huang is stepping down with immediate effect, marking a major leadership shake-up at the world's most valuable chipmaker following a controversy over reports of his alleged extramarital affairs.
The company's Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress will serve as interim CEO while Nvidia searches for a permanent successor. Former Synopsys CEO and Nvidia board member Harvey Jones will become the company's first board chairman, Reuters reported.
Huang's departure follows reports of two extramarital relationships, including one with a woman identified as Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based cloud company Megaspeed, who has reportedly come under US scrutiny over suspected links to Chinese intelligence.
The New York Times also reported that Huang had a relationship with Nvidia's vice-president of healthcare, Kimberly Powell, who reportedly worked under him.
Huang had earlier acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife in a message to employees, taking full responsibility for his actions. Nvidia's board had subsequently launched an investigation into whether he had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.
Huang, 63, co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and led its transformation into a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence chips. His departure comes at a time when the company is central to the global AI boom.
Nvidia shares fell more than 10 per cent in premarket trading following the announcement, amid concerns over the company's future leadership and strategy.
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