Nvidia CEO and co-founder Jensen Huang resigned Thursday following revelations about his affair with a woman suspected of working as a Chinese intelligence operative.
Huang’s relationship with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based technology company Megaspeed International, has drawn scrutiny after U.S. officials reportedly suspected she was working for Chinese intelligence and collecting information on Nvidia to help Beijing advance its artificial intelligence capabilities.
Megaspeed has also come under investigation over concerns that it may have provided Chinese companies with unauthorized access to advanced U.S. semiconductor technology. The company reportedly purchased more than $4 billion worth of Nvidia chips, raising additional national security concerns over the potential diversion of restricted technology to China. Megaspeed has denied wrongdoing.
On November 8, Nvidia’s board announced an independent investigation into reports that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. The board said it had no reason to believe national security or Nvidia’s trade secrets had been compromised. Huang also acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife in a message to employees, apologizing to his family and colleagues and pledging to cooperate with the investigation.
Nvidia Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress will serve as interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent successor.
