Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is facing fresh controversy after reports emerged that he allegedly had an extramarital relationship with another senior executive at the company – one who reportedly reports directly to him.
The latest allegations involve Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s 48-year-old vice-president of healthcare. According to a report by The New York Times, five people familiar with the matter said Huang, 63, had a relationship with Powell, although neither party has publicly confirmed the allegations.
The revelation comes amid growing scrutiny surrounding Huang’s personal relationships and his leadership of the world’s leading artificial intelligence chipmaker.
Video Allegedly Captured Pair Being Affectionate
According to people familiar with the incident, Huang and Powell were reportedly seen behaving affectionately at a hotel in San Jose, California, during Nvidia’s annual GTC developer conference in March.
One individual allegedly recorded the interaction on a mobile phone.
The report further claimed that Huang’s security personnel noticed the recording and subsequently separated the individual from others. The person was allegedly asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
The New York Times said it had not independently viewed the video.
Both Huang and Powell are married to other people.
Questions Over Workplace Conduct
Powell joined Nvidia in 2008 and gradually rose through the company’s ranks.
She was reportedly promoted to senior director of AI business development in 2016 before becoming vice-president of healthcare by late 2017.
Her current responsibilities include overseeing initiatives involving Nvidia’s artificial intelligence technology in healthcare and higher education, including applications involving medical imaging.
The allegations could raise questions about Nvidia’s workplace policies, particularly because Powell reportedly holds a position under Huang.
Nvidia’s code of conduct advises employees to avoid situations that could create conflicts of interest, including those arising from personal relationships. The company also states that reports of misconduct are investigated promptly.
Comes Amid Separate Allegations Involving Chinese Executive
The latest report adds another layer to the controversy surrounding Huang.
In October, The New York Times reported that a Chinese executive known as Alice Huang, who had become close to the Nvidia chief, had been identified by US officials as an alleged Chinese intelligence asset.
China has denied the espionage allegations, while Alice Huang has not publicly responded to requests for comment.
Following the earlier revelations, Nvidia’s board reportedly initiated an investigation led by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
Three Republican-led congressional committees have also requested a closed-door briefing with Jensen Huang regarding his interactions with the Chinese executive.
When contacted by The New York Times on November 11 about his alleged relationship with Powell, Huang reportedly replied: “I don’t think you should be talking to me directly” before ending the call.
Nvidia declined to provide a statement, while Powell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The controversy has also attracted investors’ attention, with Nvidia shares reportedly falling approximately 8 per cent in after-hours trading.
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and has since transformed it into one of the world’s most valuable technology companies, driven by soaring demand for artificial intelligence chips.
The latest allegations could put further pressure on the company’s leadership as investors and board members assess the potential implications.