The announcement follows reports of a national security investigation involving a former Megaspeed executive. Nvidia says it has no reason to believe its secrets or national security were compromised.

Nvidia Announces Jensen Huang’s Exit as CEO; CFO Colette Kress to Take Interim Charge

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resignation has sent shockwaves through the technology industry after the chipmaker announced that its co-founder would step down as president and chief executive officer. The company said on Thursday that executive vice-president and Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress had agreed to lead Nvidia on an interim basis.

The announcement comes amid reports concerning Huang’s alleged relationship with a former executive of Singapore-headquartered data centre company Megaspeed International, who has reportedly been suspected of having links to the Chinese government. The allegations have also raised questions about possible national security risks and the protection of sensitive corporate information.

Nvidia, however, has said it has “no reason to believe” that either national security or its confidential information has been compromised. The company added that its inquiry would examine all available information.

Nvidia Announces Jensen Huang’s Departure

In a statement issued on Thursday, Nvidia confirmed Huang’s resignation as president and CEO. The company said Colette Kress, who currently serves as its executive vice-president and CFO, had agreed to take charge on an interim basis.

The announcement followed reports that Nvidia’s board of directors was meeting to discuss Huang’s future at the company. No outcome from those reported discussions had been disclosed earlier on Thursday.

The development marks a significant moment for Nvidia, which Huang co-founded and led through its growth into one of the world’s most influential semiconductor companies.

Following the reports, Nvidia shares reportedly fell nearly nine per cent in pre-market trading on Thursday, reflecting investor concerns surrounding the developments.

Allegations Involving Former Megaspeed Executive

The controversy centres on reports about Huang’s alleged relationship with a former Megaspeed executive suspected of being a Chinese government agent.

The New York Times reported that the woman was Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, who had held a senior position at Megaspeed. The two individuals are not related, despite sharing the surname.

Earlier reporting by the newspaper alleged that US intelligence agencies had discovered a close relationship between Huang and Alice Huang and determined that she was passing information directly to Beijing. The details of the alleged relationship remain unclear.

The New York Times also reported on Wednesday that Huang had an affair with an Nvidia executive who reported directly to him. The Associated Press said it could not independently confirm those reports.

These claims remain allegations, and the supplied reports do not establish that Nvidia’s confidential information was actually transferred or compromised.

Megaspeed Pledges Cooperation With US Investigation

Megaspeed International, the Singapore-headquartered data centre company at the centre of the controversy, issued its first statement since the reports emerged.

The company said it takes its responsibility to comply with US export control laws “extremely seriously” and would cooperate with the US government.

“M​​egaspeed is committed to working constructively and transparently with the U.S. government,” said a statement signed by its chairman and CEO, Tan Yong Pong, who is also known as James Tan.

The company has previously faced allegations of illicitly shipping advanced Nvidia computer chips to China. In December, Megaspeed said there was “no evidence” of such exports. Singapore has also said it is investigating the allegations.

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the FBI was investigating the matter, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the companies and individuals involved.

National Security Concerns and Nvidia’s Response

The allegations have drawn attention to the wider issue of restrictions on advanced semiconductor technology exports to China. Nvidia’s chips are strategically important to the development of artificial intelligence and advanced computing systems, making export controls a significant concern for US authorities.

Nvidia has maintained that it has no reason to believe that national security or company secrets were compromised. It has also said its inquiry will consider all available information.

The company’s statement does not confirm that any sensitive information was leaked or that the allegations against the former Megaspeed executive have been established.

What Happens Next for Nvidia?

With Colette Kress expected to lead the company on an interim basis, attention will now turn to Nvidia’s leadership transition and the outcome of the investigations.

The developments also leave questions about the circumstances surrounding Huang’s departure and the potential implications for the company.

For now, Nvidia’s position is that it has found no reason to believe its secrets or national security were compromised. Further clarity will depend on the company’s inquiry and the investigations being conducted by US and Singapore authorities.