Silicon Valley's top executives and investors are rallying behind Jensen Huang, who stepped down as Nvidia's CEO on Thursday following revelations of personal misconduct. Huang's peers, including billionaires and major investors, argue that his leadership is irreplaceable and that his departure could jeopardize the U.S.'s position in the artificial intelligence race.
Elon Musk, the world's richest person, highlighted Huang's unique role in securing critical supply chain deals for Nvidia, many of which were based on personal trust rather than formal contracts. Musk warned that without Huang, some of these deals could be at risk.
Investors Brad Gerstner of Altimeter Capital Management and Gavin Baker of Atreides Management urged Nvidia's board to consider all options, including Huang's potential return. An open letter titled "Stand With Jensen" has garnered nearly 100,000 signatures, including from current and former Nvidia employees, business partners, and start-up leaders.
The outpouring of support underscores Nvidia's pivotal role in the AI boom, controlling an estimated 90 percent of the market for advanced chips used in major AI projects. Huang's leadership transformed Nvidia from a gaming chip maker into one of the world's most valuable companies, positioning it as a central banker for start-ups needing chips and funding.