A petition demanding the reinstatement of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has gathered more than 115,000 signatures as of Saturday afternoon. The online campaign, which calls for the board to reverse its decision to remove the company’s leader, has attracted support from major figures in the technology sector.
The signers include 5,965 current Nvidia employees, 1,108 former employees, and 63,063 shareholders. Notable supporters listed on the petition website include Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Replit CEO Amjad Masad, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, and Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan.
Demands for Due Process
The petition argues that Huang was removed without meaningful due process. It urges the Nvidia board to bring him back while an independent investigation establishes the facts. The document also calls for the board to ensure a fair investigation and provide more information to the public regarding the circumstances of his departure.
“Jensen deserves due process, not mob justice,” the petition states. The language suggests that the signers believe the speed and nature of the ouster were unjustified and lacked proper procedural safeguards.
Resignation Amid Scandal
Huang resigned on Thursday, just four days after confessing to having an affair with a chip executive. That executive is suspected by U.S. intelligence of being a Chinese spy. News reports have also suggested that Huang engaged in multiple extramarital affairs, adding to the controversy surrounding his tenure.
The former CEO has agreed to testify before Congress. His departure is expected to leave a significant gap in AI industry funding, as Huang has been a central figure in the sector’s growth and investment landscape.
Nvidia has appointed CFO Colette Kress as the company’s interim CEO while it searches for a permanent replacement. The news of Huang’s removal and the subsequent scandal caused Nvidia’s stock price to fall sharply throughout the week. The market reaction highlights the uncertainty surrounding the company’s leadership transition.
The petition represents a significant show of support for Huang from within the tech community and among investors. It places pressure on the Nvidia board to address the concerns raised by its stakeholders. The outcome of the petition and the ongoing investigation will likely influence the company’s future direction and leadership structure.
Source: TechCrunch
