When asked about Powell, Huang responded: ''I don't think she should speak to me directly,'' before ending the communication. Nvidia declined to make a statement and Powell also did not immediately respond to the newspaper's inquiries.
The revelations also placed Nvidia's internal rules under scrutiny. The company's code of conduct states that employees must avoid situations where their actions could create conflicts, including personal relationships. It also stipulates that the company investigate allegations of misconduct promptly.
The board of Nvidia could decide this Wednesday the future of Jensen Huang, co-founder and CEO of the company, amid an internal investigation into his personal conduct and the potential consequences for the company. The information was published by The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the deliberations.
The possible dismissal of Huang, 63, would represent an extraordinary turn for one of the most important companies in the global tech industry, whose leadership has been crucial in the growth of the semiconductor and artificial intelligence business.
According to the newspaper, the board could meet during the day to discuss the executive's continuity, after Nvidia initiated an internal investigation into his behavior. The review comes after reports surfaced about two alleged extramarital relationships of Huang with women linked to the company.
The board of directors of Nvidia could decide to dismiss its founder and CEO, Jensen Huang, in the next few hours
The case gained more attention after the ''New York Times'' published details of a supposed relationship between Huang and Kimberly Powell, vice president of health at Nvidia, who holds a position subordinate to that of the CEO. The newspaper cited five people who worked at the company and indicated that the relationship was known by some employees.
Separately, the ''Wall Street Journal'' reported that Huang also allegedly had a relationship with a female employee of the company. This information adds to the revelations about Alice Huang, a Chinese executive whom U.S. intelligence considers a suspected spy for China.
Huang was accused of having an extramarital affair with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia's Vice President of Health
A video in a hotel and a potential confidentiality agreement
According to two sources, Huang and Powell, 48, were recorded in an affectionate manner in a hotel in San Jose, California, during Nvidia's annual conference held in March. Three people informed about the episode stated that a recording was made with a cellphone by someone present at the location.
According to those testimonies, members of Huang's security team removed the person who had made the recording and offered them to sign a confidentiality agreement.
Both executives are married to other people. Powell joined Nvidia in 2008 and became vice president of health in late 2017. The sources consulted by the newspaper indicated that the alleged relationship was the subject of comments within the company.
Nvidia shares have fallen sharply following the investigations against Huang and the possible dismissal of his positions.
The investigation also touches on national security issues
Huang's situation became even more complicated due to information related to Alice Huang, an executive at ''Megaspeed,'' a major client of Nvidia. According to the cited sources, U.S. intelligence suspects she works for Chinese services, an accusation that the Chinese regime rejected.
On Sunday, Huang acknowledged to employees that he had been unfaithful to his wife, although he did not identify the individuals involved. Subsequently, the board opened an investigation that would be handled by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
President Donald Trump confirmed that the FBI is also investigating the case, while a group of shareholders filed a lawsuit against Nvidia. Additionally, the Republican chairs of three House committees requested that Huang appear behind closed doors to answer questions.
The controversy comes at a particularly delicate time for the company, which must present its quarterly results next Tuesday, November 17. The possible departure of its founder could raise questions about Nvidia's strategic direction and the stability of its leadership amid the expansion of the artificial intelligence industry.
For now, the potential dismissal has not been officially confirmed and will depend on the decisions made by the board after evaluating the consequences of the revelations and the ongoing investigations.
The US President, Donald Trump, assured that the FBI is investigating the case for potential implications for national security
