Nvidia CEO Resigns Over Scandal Tied to US-China AI Chip Rivalry
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigned on November 12, 2026, following a scandal involving alleged extramarital affairs and accusations that a partner facilitated the transfer of $7.5 billion in chips to China, escalating US-China tensions over AI dominance. The resignation followed board deliberations after reports of Huang's relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia's VP of Health, and alleged ties to Alice Huang, a Singapore-based executive accused of espionage. CFO Colette Kress has assumed the role of interim CEO. The scandal highlights the strategic importance of advanced semiconductors in the US-China technology rivalry, with export restrictions, smuggling concerns, and the emergence of separate American and Chinese chip ecosystems reshaping the global industry.