Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Resigns in Major Blow to Global AI Industry

SANTA CLARA, California -Nvidia Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Jensen Huang has resigned from his position, bringing an end to more than three decades of leadership at the company that has become one of the world's most influential players in artificial intelligence.

The announcement, made on Thursday, November 12, 2026, marks a major leadership transition for the American semiconductor giant, whose processors have become central to the development of artificial intelligence systems, data centres and advanced computing technologies.

Nvidia confirmed that Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress will take over as interim Chief Executive Officer as the company's board begins searching for a permanent replacement.

Huang will also step down from the company's board of directors, ending his direct executive and board leadership at the technology firm he co-founded in 1993.

Colette Kress appointed interim CEO

Nvidia's board has appointed Kress, who has served as the company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2013, to oversee the company during the transition.

She will retain her finance responsibilities while serving as interim CEO until a permanent successor is appointed.

The company also announced the appointment of Harvey C. Jones, a long-serving board member and former technology executive, as its first-ever chairman of the board.

In a statement, Kress said the company remained committed to building on the foundation established under Huang's leadership.

"NVIDIA's strength has always come from its people, and together with our leadership team, I am committed to building on the extraordinary foundation Jensen created over the last 33 years," Kress said.

She added that the company would continue advancing its work in accelerated computing and artificial intelligence while serving its customers, partners, developers and shareholders.

Controversy surrounding Huang's departure

Huang's resignation follows a turbulent period for Nvidia, with reports of alleged extramarital relationships triggering controversy and increased scrutiny of the company's leadership.

Reports have linked Huang to Alice Huang, a Singapore-based businesswoman whom US authorities reportedly suspect of having connections to Chinese intelligence. The two are not related.

Huang has denied knowing that the businesswoman was allegedly connected to Chinese intelligence. Beijing has also rejected allegations that Alice Huang was a spy.

The controversy intensified following separate media reports concerning an alleged relationship between Huang and a senior Nvidia executive.

Nvidia's board had initiated an independent investigation into whether Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.

The company has not publicly attributed his resignation to the reported allegations, instead issuing a statement recognising his contribution to Nvidia's growth and development.

Nvidia shares fall as investors assess leadership change

The leadership announcement triggered a negative reaction in financial markets, with Nvidia shares falling sharply during early trading on Thursday.

Reuters reported that the stock dropped more than 12% at one point, raising concerns about the company's market valuation and investor confidence.

The departure comes at a critical moment for the global technology industry, as investors continue to assess the sustainability of massive investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Nvidia has become a dominant supplier of advanced graphics processing units (GPUs), which are used to train and operate artificial intelligence models.

Its technology supports major AI developers, cloud computing companies and data centre operators worldwide.

What Huang's departure means for the AI industry

Huang's exit raises questions about the future direction of Nvidia and the wider artificial intelligence ecosystem.

Beyond manufacturing processors, Nvidia has built an extensive business network involving cloud providers, technology developers, research laboratories and hardware suppliers.

His leadership played a central role in establishing the company's position in the global AI market.

Industry analysts have cautioned that replacing Huang could present challenges, particularly given his involvement in coordinating Nvidia's technology development, commercial partnerships and long-term investment strategy.

However, the company has indicated that its existing technology roadmap and customer commitments remain priorities during the transition.

A defining moment for Nvidia

Since its establishment in 1993, Nvidia has transformed from a graphics-chip manufacturer into a major force in accelerated computing and artificial intelligence.

Huang's departure represents one of the most significant leadership changes in the technology sector in recent years.

With Colette Kress temporarily taking charge and the board beginning its search for a permanent successor, investors, technology companies and AI developers will be watching closely to see how Nvidia navigates the transition.

The immediate challenge will be maintaining investor confidence, business continuity and its position in an increasingly competitive global artificial intelligence market.