Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is facing fresh allegations of an affair with a senior executive who reports directly to him. The allegations have put his position at the company under scrutiny, with the board reportedly considering whether to remove him as CEO.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
The New York Times reported on November 11 (local time) that Huang had an extramarital relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia's vice president of healthcare. The report cited five former employees familiar with the matter.
Powell's position as a direct subordinate to Huang has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and whether the company's rules on workplace relationships apply to its top executives. Nvidia's code of conduct requires employees to avoid conflicts of interest, including those involving personal relationships, and calls for allegations of misconduct to be investigated.
The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that Nvidia's board was preparing to meet as early as November 11 (local time) to discuss Huang's future and whether he should remain CEO.
The news also weighed on the company's shares, which fell about 8 percent in after-hours trading. Huang co-founded Nvidia and has led the company for decades. His departure, if it happens, would mark a major turning point for the chipmaker, whose products have become central to the global AI industry.
The latest allegations follow an open letter to Nvidia employees on November 8 (local time), in which Huang admitted he had been unfaithful to his wife and apologized for the hurt caused to his family. Earlier media reports had linked that separate relationship to Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman whom U.S. officials have accused of working for Chinese intelligence.
Reporter: Yao Jingsen
Photo: CFP
