Daily Beirut

Tech & Science

Elon Musk Offers Job to Fired Nvidia Boss After Shocking Exit

Jensen Huang stepped down from Nvidia following revelations of extramarital affairs, including one with a suspected spy, prompting an internal investigation.

··2 min read
Elon Musk Offers Job to Fired Nvidia Boss After Shocking Exit
Share

Jensen Huang resigned as Nvidia’s co-founder after admitting to multiple extramarital relationships, according to Bloomberg. The departure followed a board meeting where he appeared "shattered and exhausted," marking the end of his 33-year tenure building the AI hardware giant.

The catalyst for resignation

The crisis originated from allegations involving Alice Huang, a Megaspeed executive suspected of intelligence ties. Rumors surfaced in late October, which Nvidia initially denied, stating that client interactions are standard CEO duties. However, reports emerged confirming an affair between Jensen Huang and Alice Huang.

Tim Teter, Nvidia’s General Counsel and Secretary of the Board, confronted Huang at his residence regarding the relationship. Huang subsequently issued a public apology acknowledging his actions. The situation escalated when another scandal broke, revealing an affair with a subordinate within the company. This final breach led the board to force his resignation shortly thereafter.

Employee reaction and legacy

Despite the controversies, many Nvidia employees have expressed a desire for Huang’s return. With over 42,000 staff globally, this sentiment highlights the deep connection maintained during his leadership. Huang was widely regarded as the face of the company, known for his direct management style and rapid email responses.

In Taiwan (China), his popularity was termed "Jensanity." He cultivated a down-to-earth image despite his wealth, often seen eating street food or recalling his time as a waiter at Denny's. His signature black leather jacket once raised nearly $1 million for charity at auction.

Criticism and future prospects

Huang faced criticism from gamers who felt Nvidia neglected the consumer graphics card market in favor of AI. Rising GeForce prices and his stance on selling chips to China also drew controversy. Nevertheless, these issues did not fully overshadow his influence until the personal scandals occurred.

Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX and Tesla, publicly stated he would be honored to hire Huang, citing his experience in building a technology empire. While outside offers exist, Huang’s next steps remain subject to internal investigations and the repercussions of the board’s decision.

Add Daily Beirut to your Google News feed to get the latest first.
Share