Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is facing a new set of affair allegations, this time involving a senior executive inside the chipmaker, according to a New York Times report cited in the article. The claim adds pressure on the company as it deals with a separate China-related controversy.
Alleged relationship with Kimberly Powell
People who worked at Nvidia allegedly told the newspaper that Huang had a relationship with Kimberly Powell, who runs the company’s health care business. Both are married to other people. The report does not offer a full account of the relationship, and the details remain disputed or unconfirmed.
The most specific claim comes from Nvidia’s GTC developer conference in San Jose. Two Nvidia employees quoted in the report said Huang and Powell interacted affectionately at a hotel where executives meet. The newspaper said it did not see the reported video.
Three people familiar with the incident added another detail: someone in the crowd allegedly recorded the two on a phone. Huang’s security team reportedly noticed, took the person aside, and made an offer that would stop disclosure. It is not known whether the offer was written down or what happened to the recording.
Powell’s role and Nvidia policy
Powell joined Nvidia in 2008. In 2016, she became senior director for business development in artificial intelligence, and in late 2017 she was named vice president of health care. She works with universities and medical researchers on Nvidia technology, including diagnostic imaging, and represents the company at industry conferences. During GTC, she gave a presentation on AI in biology and medicine and showed Huang in cartoon form.
Nvidia’s code of conduct asks employees to avoid situations where their actions create conflict. Personal relationships are listed among the issues. The policy also says the company promptly investigates reports of misconduct. It is not known whether the board is investigating the new relationship reported with Powell.
China controversy continues
The new allegation comes as Huang’s ties to Alice Huang, a Chinese executive U.S. intelligence officials have classified as a Chinese asset, are under scrutiny. China denies the espionage charge. After Huang acknowledged the affair with Alice, Nvidia’s board ordered an investigation by law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Republican chairmen of three House committees have also asked for a private meeting with Huang about his communications with Alice.
The stakes go beyond gossip. Nvidia, founded by Huang in 1993, supplies chips for major AI applications. When a reporter called Huang on Wednesday to ask about Powell, he did not answer the question and ended the call, according to the article.
