SANTA CLARA, United States- A person identifying themselves as NVIDIA robotics engineer Darrell Dai says former CEO Jensen Huang’s sudden departure has prompted him to leave the company, citing uncertainty over its direction and a feeling that employees had not been adequately heard.
In a statement, Dai praised Huang’s early bets on CUDA, artificial intelligence and robotics, saying the former CEO had helped create a culture in which engineers were encouraged to explore, take risks and learn from mistakes.
Dai said Huang’s interest in employees’ work and their “Top 5” emails had made the company feel accessible despite its global scale.
But the engineer said the lack of clarity around Huang’s exit had been difficult to accept.
“I do not have all the facts surrounding the allegations, and I cannot prejudge the investigation,” Dai said.
“My admiration for Jensen does not put him above scrutiny.”
Dai said the decision to leave was driven not only by Huang’s departure, but by uncertainty over what it means for NVIDIA’s culture, strategy and employees.
“On this decision, I have not felt heard,” the statement said.
NVIDIA confirms CEO transition
NVIDIA announced on November 12 that Huang had resigned as president, chief executive and a member of the board, effective immediately.
The company appointed its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO while it searches for a permanent replacement.
NVIDIA also named long-serving director Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever board chair.
NVIDIA’s announcement did not give a reason for Huang’s resignation or directly link it to the company’s ongoing investigation into national-security concerns and reports about his personal conduct.
Kress said NVIDIA would continue to execute its technology roadmap and serve customers, partners, developers and shareholders during the transition.
Board investigation still ongoing
On November 8, NVIDIA’s board said it had opened an independent investigation after reports that Huang had been the target of a foreign intelligence effort.
The board said independent directors and outside counsel would oversee the review. It added that it had no reason to believe national security or NVIDIA’s secrets had been compromised, while saying the inquiry would examine all available information.
That same day, Huang issued a public message apologising to his family, colleagues and shareholders, acknowledging that he had been unfaithful to his wife and saying he would cooperate with the board’s inquiry.
Reuters reported on November 14, citing sources and internal correspondence it reviewed, that Huang had described his interactions with Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang as routine business dealings to some NVIDIA leaders.
Reuters said it had not independently verified whether Alice Huang had worked on behalf of the Chinese government.
For Dai, however, the story is also about employee trust at a company whose rise has helped shape the global AI industry.
The engineer said NVIDIA’s colleagues and shared work would remain meaningful, but that Huang’s exit had led to the end of their own chapter at the company.
