Jensen Huang Resigns as Nvidia CEO
By Caroline Haskins and Lauren Goode | November 12, 2026
Resignation Follows Investigation into Alleged Affair
Nvidia cofounder and chief executive Jensen Huang resigned on Thursday after the company opened an investigation into his affair with an alleged Chinese intelligence asset.
The unexpected departure comes at a critical moment for the AI chipmaker, which has seen its market capitalization surge past $5 trillion amid the global artificial intelligence boom. Nvidia's board of directors said in a statement that it had accepted Huang's resignation and appointed an interim leadership team while it searches for a permanent successor.
The investigation, according to people familiar with the matter, was triggered by internal concerns about Huang's personal relationship with a woman identified as a former employee of a Chinese technology firm with alleged ties to state intelligence services. Nvidia has not publicly commented on the specifics of the investigation, citing privacy and ongoing legal review.
Industry Reaction and Implications
The resignation sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley and global markets. Nvidia shares fell sharply in after-hours trading before recovering some losses following the company's assurance of operational continuity.
Industry analysts noted that while Huang's visionary leadership was central to Nvidia's dominance in GPUs and AI accelerators, the company's deep bench of talent and established roadmap may cushion the immediate impact. Rivals such as AMD and Intel, as well as custom chip efforts from Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, are expected to capitalize on any perceived instability.
Board Statement and Next Steps
The board emphasized its commitment to robust corporate governance and national security compliance. "The board takes these matters extremely seriously and will cooperate fully with any relevant authorities," said lead independent director. "Nvidia remains focused on delivering for our customers and shareholders."
The company has not provided a timeline for naming a permanent CEO. Huang, who cofounded Nvidia in 1993, has not issued a public statement.
via Wired AI