GUWAHATI: Nvidia's board is reportedly considering removing co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang following allegations surrounding his personal relationship with a businesswoman accused of spying for China, according to US media reports on Wednesday, November 11.
ALSO READ: Guwahati Likely to See Foggy Mornings Till November 18, Rain Expected on Thursday
The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that the company's board was preparing to meet as early as Wednesday to discuss Huang's future at the chipmaking giant.
The development comes after Nvidia launched an investigation into claims that Huang was "the target of a foreign intelligence effort". US President Donald Trump has also said that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is looking into the allegations.
The controversy centres on Huang's alleged relationship with a businesswoman named Alice Huang, who has been accused of being a Chinese spy. The allegations have reportedly triggered an internal investigation by the company.
According to a separate report by The New York Times, Huang also had an extramarital relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia's vice president of healthcare, who reports directly to him. The report, citing five people who had worked at the company, said the relationship had not been previously reported.
News of the possible leadership change sent Nvidia shares down more than 8% in extended trading. The company has reportedly lost around $600 billion in market value this week following the announcement of the board's investigation.
Huang, 63, co-founded Nvidia and has led the company for more than three decades, transforming it into one of the world's most valuable technology companies. With a market valuation of approximately $4 trillion, Nvidia has become the dominant supplier of artificial intelligence (AI) chips, playing a central role in the global AI boom and the growing technological rivalry between the United States and China.
Often described as the "godfather of AI", Huang owns approximately 3.6% of Nvidia's shares and maintains close control over the company's operations, with dozens of direct reports.
His potential departure could create a significant leadership vacuum, particularly as the company reportedly has no formal succession plan in place and no obvious successor to take over its leadership.
The reported developments have raised questions about the future leadership of the chipmaker at a time when it remains central to the global artificial intelligence industry.
