Jensen Huang resigned from Nvidia on Thursday, ending more than three decades at the company he co-founded. Nvidia appointed longtime Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO, effective immediately.
Huang also resigned as company president and left Nvidia’s board of directors. The chipmaker said it will consider internal and external candidates while searching for a permanent successor.
Jensen Huang Resigns From Nvidia After 33 Years
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and helped transform it into a leading technology company. Its graphics processors became essential tools for gaming, data centers and artificial intelligence.
The company’s official announcement thanked Huang for his contributions but did not provide a reason for his resignation.
The change follows reports about Huang’s extramarital relationships and possible national security concerns. One relationship reportedly involved a Chinese businesswoman suspected by U.S. intelligence of acting for Beijing.
Nvidia previously said it had no reason to believe company secrets or national security had been compromised. However, its board opened an independent investigation into whether Huang had become the target of a foreign intelligence effort.
China has denied allegations that it attempted to target Huang. The woman’s former company has also said it takes U.S. export laws seriously and will cooperate with authorities.
Additional reports emerged Wednesday alleging another relationship between Huang and an Nvidia employee who reported to him. Nvidia did not address those allegations in its leadership announcement.
Colette Kress Takes Over as Interim CEO
Kress has served as Nvidia’s executive vice president and chief financial officer since September 2013. She will retain both positions while working as interim CEO.
Before joining Nvidia, Kress held finance positions at Cisco and Microsoft. She has nearly 25 years of experience working in financial roles across the technology industry.
“Nvidia’s strength has always come from its people,” Kress said in the company’s announcement. She pledged to continue the work that made Nvidia a leader in accelerated computing and AI.
Nvidia said its operations, customer commitments and technology roadmap would continue without interruption. The board expressed confidence in Kress and the company’s existing leadership team.
The company also appointed Harvey C. Jones as its first chair of the board. Jones has worked as a technology executive, entrepreneur and venture investor for more than 30 years.
Nvidia Stock Swings Following Leadership Change
Nvidia shares fell sharply after Huang’s departure. The stock dropped 14% at Thursday’s opening bell before recovering part of that loss.
The reaction reflected uncertainty surrounding Nvidia’s leadership and the wider AI industry. Huang had become one of the most recognizable executives in technology.
Nvidia remains a major supplier of chips used to build and operate artificial intelligence systems. Its customers include cloud computing companies, technology firms and research organizations worldwide.
Competitors AMD and Broadcom gained ground during Thursday’s market activity. Investors appeared to consider whether Huang’s exit could create new openings in the AI chip market.
What Comes Next for Nvidia
Nvidia will release its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results Tuesday, Nov. 17. The company plans to publish results at approximately 1:20 p.m. Pacific, followed by an earnings call at 2 p.m.
That report will give investors an early view of Nvidia’s financial position during the leadership transition. Attention will also focus on its permanent CEO search and ongoing board investigation.
Huang’s departure marks a major turning point for Nvidia and the artificial intelligence industry. Customers, developers and shareholders can follow Nvidia’s official investor updates as the company selects its next leader.