Hugging Face CEO calls Jensen Huang's Nvidia resignation a sad day
Clement Delangue vowed to continue fighting for open-source AI following the departure of the Nvidia chief executive.
Hugging Face CEO Clement Delangue expressed dismay on X following the resignation of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Delangue, whose company is the world's largest repository for AI models, called the leadership change a “really sad day” and stated that the company will continue to fight for open-source AI.
The resignation follows reports of extramarital affairs involving Huang. According to BusinessLine, one relationship involved a businesswoman whom US intelligence suspects is a Chinese spy, a claim Beijing denies. Huang also reportedly had an affair with an Nvidia executive who reported to him directly.
Huang apologised in an email to employees, stating his actions hurt his wife and children.
Nvidia has appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO. The company is currently searching for a permanent successor and is considering both internal and external candidates. US President Donald Trump has endorsed former Apple CEO Tim Cook as a successor, though no official statements have been made by Nvidia or Apple regarding this.
One potential candidate for the permanent role is Ajay K. Puri, an Indian-origin senior adviser at Nvidia. Puri has been with the company for 21 years and previously served as Executive Vice President of Worldwide Field Operations.
The leadership change occurs as Nvidia prepares to acquire Hugging Face for $12.9 billion. The transaction, which is scheduled to close in the first half of 2027, is currently facing regulatory scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding competition in the AI sector.