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Nvidia succession: Engineer, CFO emerge as faves

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In short

Nvidia's board is formally evaluating Jensen Huang's future with the company this Wednesday after allegations emerged concerning two extramarital affairs. The resulting market panic triggered a $600 billion stock selloff that dropped Nvidia to the position of the world's second-most valuable firm. While Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has emerged as a potential interim chief to steady operations, engineer Ian Buck is being highlighted as a candidate for the permanent post. Other contenders under consideration include Arm chief Rene Haas, longtime veteran Jeff Fisher, and Huang's two children.

Key points

  • Engineer Ian Buck is viewed by analysts as a prominent permanent candidate due to his wor…: Engineer Ian Buck is viewed by analysts as a prominent permanent candidate due to his work on CUDA and artificial intelligence products.
  • External and internal contenders being discussed include Arm CEO Rene Haas, veteran Jeff…: External and internal contenders being discussed include Arm CEO Rene Haas, veteran Jeff Fisher, and Huang's two executive children.
  • Nvidia, Kress, Buck, and Haas did not immediately provide responses to requests for comme…: Nvidia, Kress, Buck, and Haas did not immediately provide responses to requests for comment regarding the situation.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Nvidia's board is meeting on Wednesday to decide whether to oust Huang, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, as the world's dominant supplier of AI processors grapples with reports of two extramarital affairs involving its longtime leader. Nvidia did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the board meeting.

Huang isn't the usual CEO. He is a charismatic, leather-jacket-wearing apostle of Nvidia chips who built the company on processors for video games, transformed it into an artificial intelligence machine, and, in turn, created the most valuable company in the world.

Also Read: Why is Nvidia so powerful in the AI world, and what could Jensen Huang's scandal really cost?

"Jensen Huang is a rockstar in the industry. He's outspoken and synonymous with the Nvidia brand, and a leader like that is very hard to replace," said Anna Wu, founder of Floodlines Research in Sydney.

That fear has contributed to a $600 billion selloff of Nvidia's shares this week, now making it the world's second-most valuable company.

On Wednesday, speculation on who might be tapped if Huang…

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