Nvidia Board Weighs Replacing CEO Jensen Huang Amid Scandal, Potential Successors Eyed

Nvidia's board of directors is reportedly considering replacing CEO Jensen Huang, who founded the company over three decades ago, following reports of a personal relationship with a Chinese businesswoman suspected of espionage for Beijing. Huang, credited with transforming Nvidia from a small graphics card manufacturer into a global tech powerhouse, may lose his position due to the scandal. The company's flat management structure, with many executives reporting directly to the CEO, means his potential departure could necessitate a significant shift in how Nvidia is run.

Among the potential internal successors being discussed are Ian Buck, Nvidia's Vice President overseeing high-performance computing and large-scale infrastructure, who was instrumental in developing the crucial CUDA software platform. Also considered is Colette Kress, the company's CFO since 2013, who has guided Nvidia through its major growth phases and maintains strong ties with investors. Kress is seen as a potential interim CEO candidate to ensure stability.

Several Israelis with significant experience in the chip industry are also being mentioned as relevant to Nvidia's future. These include Michael Kagan, Nvidia's Chief Technology Officer and a co-founder of the Israeli company Mellanox, acquired by Nvidia in 2020. Kagan's expertise lies in the high-speed interconnect technologies vital for large-scale AI computing. Eyal Waldman, the founder and former CEO of Mellanox, is also noted for his experience managing an international chip company. Additionally, Johnny Srouji, Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, who has led the development of Apple's custom chips, has been cited in media reports as a possible replacement, though a move from Apple to Nvidia would be unusual.

External candidates are also being considered, including Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, who has led a remarkable turnaround for the company and is a distant relative of Huang. Rene Haas, CEO of ARM, who previously held senior roles at Nvidia, is another name mentioned. However, reports suggest Buck and Kress are the most likely internal candidates, though their appointments would raise questions about how to divide the responsibilities Huang has consolidated.

Whoever is chosen will inherit a company at the forefront of the AI revolution, serving major global clients and navigating the technological competition between the US and China. Nvidia may need to prove its ability to continue growing without its founding leader.