AI chip maker Nvidia is now searching for a permanent chief executive officer (CEO) after co-founder Jensen Huang stepped down with immediate effect amid a controversy involving alleged extramarital relationships
and suspected Chinese intelligence links. Three Indian-origin technology executives, Sanjay Mehrotra, Nikesh Arora and Thomas Kurian, have emerged among the names being discussed as potential successors to Huang.
The three executives currently lead major technology companies and bring experience across semiconductors, cybersecurity and cloud computing. According to reports, they feature among the possible candidates as Nvidia considers both internal and external options.
Nvidia announced Huang’s resignation on Thuesday. Currently, its chief financial officer, Colette Kress, has taken over as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement. Longtime director Harvey Jones has also been appointed as the company’s first-ever chairman.
According to Bloomberg, Nvidia has engaged an external firm to identify potential candidates for the position. Finding a successor could prove challenging, given Huang’s role in transforming Nvidia from a graphics chipmaker into one of the world’s most valuable technology companies and a leading supplier of artificial intelligence processors.
Who Are The Three Indian-Origin Executives?
1. Sanjay Mehrotra
Sanjay Mehrotra is the chief executive officer of Micron Technology, a major semiconductor company. He brings decades of experience in the chip industry and has led Micron through several periods of growth and downturns.
During his tenure, Micron’s shares have risen by more than 2,700%, with increasing demand for memory chips used in artificial intelligence infrastructure contributing to the company’s growth.
His experience in semiconductor manufacturing and the wider chip industry makes him one of the names being discussed in connection with Nvidia’s leadership search.
2. Nikesh Arora
Nikesh Arora heads Palo Alto Networks, a cybersecurity company that he has led since 2018. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its presence in artificial intelligence-powered cybersecurity.
Before joining Palo Alto Networks, Arora served as president and chief operating officer of SoftBank. He also spent a decade at Google, gaining experience in the global technology industry.
His background in cybersecurity and technology management places him among the potential contenders being discussed for the Nvidia position.
3. Thomas Kurian
Thomas Kurian is the CEO of Google Cloud. He is one of the major players in the global cloud computing and artificial intelligence market.
He has been overseeing cloud infrastructure, enterprise software and AI services. The role has also given him experience in managing large-scale technology operations and relationships with major corporate customers.
Why Did Jensen Huang Step Down?
Huang resigned as Nvidia’s CEO and a member of its board amid mounting scrutiny over reports of multiple extramarital relationships. He had led the company for more than three decades.
The controversy intensified after reports linked him to Alice Huang, a former senior executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed International. Huang admitted to being “unfaithful” to his wife, Lori Huang, in a message to Nvidia employees, but did not identify the woman.
A memo circulated by US intelligence reportedly alleged that Alice Huang was an asset of China’s Ministry of State Security. The allegations have not been publicly substantiated, and Beijing has rejected claims of Chinese intelligence involvement.
Alice was among the attendees at a dinner hosted by Jensen Huang at a Chinese restaurant in Taipei on May 22, 2025, during the Computex technology expo. Press livestreams showed Jensen putting his arm around her as she kissed him on the cheek. A Taiwanese government minister said on Thursday that she had visited Taiwan eight times in 2024 and 2025.
Meanwhile, Megaspeed International has also announced an investigation following the controversy.
