Jensen Huang returns to work after admitting affair; Nvidia staff say they're 'sad'

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who has admitted to an affair with a woman identified as a Chinese intelligence operative, has been showing up to work as usual — though the mood inside the company has darkened considerably.

Citing multiple sources, CNBC reported Tuesday (local time) that Huang arrived at Nvidia's headquarters in Santa Clara, California, and chaired meetings, with the company's quarterly earnings announcement just a week away.

According to the report, Huang also presided over the regular Monday morning meeting attended by senior executives on Tuesday and used his opening remarks to acknowledge that he had been unfaithful in his personal life and to apologize to employees.

However, he took no questions on the matter and quickly steered the meeting back to key business agenda items.

Sources said Huang worked to project a sense of normalcy internally, even as the board of directors formed an independent-director-led investigative committee and retained an outside law firm to conduct a probe.

Despite those efforts, employees have yet to recover from the shock of the scandal.

When CNBC asked staff about the atmosphere inside the company, they described it as "sad."

Long-tenured employees had regarded Huang as an infallible idol and guiding figure, and many are struggling to come to terms with his conduct in the wake of the revelations.

Sentiment inside and outside the company has been particularly unsettled since his affair partner was identified as Alice Huang, alleged to be a Chinese spy.

From 'semiconductor rock star' to the hot seat

Huang had risen to become the semiconductor industry's "rock star" over the past three years, but the affair scandal has overnight turned him into a figure under intense scrutiny in both business and political circles.

According to The New York Times on Tuesday, Huang had rapidly emerged as a global celebrity on the back of the explosive growth of the generative AI industry.

Huang had wielded near-absolute influence at Nvidia and was an active presence at political events and public engagements. But his seemingly unstoppable run of success has been severely undermined by an unprecedented personal scandal.

Huang has already issued a separate statement acknowledging the affair.

In a statement released Sunday (local time), Huang said he had been "unfaithful" to his wife, adding: "My actions have hurt my wife and children, and there is no excuse for what I have done. I apologize to my family and to everyone at the company."

To his wife and family, he said: "I love you. I know that saying I'm sorry cannot undo what I have done. I hope our family can heal from this hurt and, in time, regain trust."

On the company's future, he said: "Leading Nvidia is the privilege of my life. I will work to earn back your trust."

yul@heraldcorp.com