Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Resigns Abruptly as Shares Plunge 13%

A major shakeup has rocked the global technology industry after Jensen Huang, founder of semiconductor giant Nvidia and the executive who transformed it into a leader in artificial intelligence, announced his immediate resignation Thursday as CEO, president, and member of the company's board of directors. According to reports, the decision followed a special board meeting Wednesday evening to discuss Huang's continued leadership.

Following his departure, Nvidia appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO. In an official statement, the company confirmed that Kress, its executive vice president and chief financial officer, had agreed to assume the position temporarily. Kress joined Nvidia in 2013 after nearly 25 years in senior financial roles at major technology companies, including Microsoft and Cisco.

The developments triggered a sharp reaction in financial markets, with Nvidia shares reportedly falling more than 13% in after-hours trading. According to estimates cited in the report, continued losses could erase approximately $600 billion from the company's market capitalization since the investigation was announced Sunday.

Nvidia Leadership Shakeup Raises Questions About US-China Technology Relations

Huang's departure carries particular significance because of Nvidia's central role in the technological competition between the United States and China. Since 2022, Washington has imposed restrictions on exports of advanced semiconductors to China, seeking to limit Beijing's access to cutting-edge technology.

Last year, however, Huang reportedly persuaded US President Donald Trump to ease some of those restrictions. A subsequent arrangement reportedly permitted chip sales to China in exchange for a 25% share of proceeds going to the US government.

Born in Taiwan, Huang immigrated to the United States at the age of nine and founded Nvidia in 1993 as a company specializing in graphics chips for computer gaming. Under his leadership, Nvidia became a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence processors and one of the world's most valuable companies.

Huang's two children, Spencer and Madison, currently hold management positions at the company.