Jensen Huang resigns as Nvidia chief amid independent investigation

Jensen Huang resigned as Nvidia’s president, chief executive and board member effective immediately, the company announced on November 12. His departure follows an apology to employees over his personal conduct and the launch of an independent investigation into reports that he was targeted by foreign intelligence.

Nvidia appointed chief financial officer Colette Kress as interim chief executive while it searches for a permanent successor. Directors will consider candidates from inside and outside the company, according to the announcement. Kress will retain her existing finance responsibilities during the transition.

The departure marks a sharp reversal for the founder who became the public face of Nvidia and its role in artificial intelligence. The BBC’s description of his standing as seemingly untouchable captures the reputational shift, but the company’s announcements distinguish between his acknowledged personal conduct and national security questions that remain under investigation.

In a November 8 message published by Nvidia, Huang acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and apologised to his family, colleagues, directors, partners and shareholders. He accepted responsibility for the harm caused by his actions and said rebuilding confidence would require work. He also asked that his family’s privacy be respected.

Huang separately addressed national security concerns raised in news reports, saying he supported the board’s investigation and would cooperate fully. His message did not establish that confidential information had been disclosed or that an intelligence operation had succeeded. An admission concerning his marriage is distinct from a finding on those security questions.

The board announced its inquiry on November 8, citing reporting that Huang had been the target of a foreign intelligence effort. It said independent directors, supported by outside independent counsel, would oversee the examination. At that stage, directors expressed confidence in Huang and his leadership team.

The board also said it had no reason to believe national security or Nvidia secrets had been compromised, while committing to examine all available information. That statement described its position when the review began, rather than a completed investigation’s conclusions. It placed U.S. national and economic security among the interests central to the inquiry.

On November 10, Nvidia’s independent directors announced they had retained former acting U.S. attorney Joon H. Kim and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct the investigation. The announcement did not provide findings or a completion date. The leadership change therefore comes without published conclusions in those statements about the reported intelligence concerns.

Nvidia now faces the parallel tasks of managing a leadership transition and completing the independent review. Directors said operations, customer commitments and the product roadmap were expected to continue without interruption. The company’s next scheduled financial update is its November 17 earnings release, while the search for a permanent chief executive proceeds.