Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said it would be “an honor” to hire Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang, as reports of potential leadership uncertainty at the US chipmaker draw attention to the future of one of the technology industry’s most prominent executives.
“That would be an honor,” Musk wrote on X late Wednesday, responding to a post that said: “Elon please hire Jensen.”
Musk did not specify a potential role for Huang or indicate whether he had discussed employment with the Nvidia chief executive. His response offered no indication of a formal recruitment approach involving Tesla, SpaceX or any of his other businesses.
The exchange followed a report by The Wall Street Journal alleging that Nvidia’s board was preparing to consider Huang’s future at the company. The newspaper, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that directors planned to meet as early as Wednesday to discuss the situation.
The report followed allegations concerning Huang’s personal relationships and claims that he may have been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. The supplied information also refers to an independent board investigation, although the scope and findings of any such inquiry have not been established.
The Financial Times separately reported that Nvidia’s board was expected to consider Huang’s future following the allegations.
Nvidia shares fell $14.95, or 8.61%, to $158.78 in after-hours trading Wednesday, reversing part of the gains recorded during the regular session, when the stock closed at $173.73, up $4.84, or 2.87%.
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and has served as its president and chief executive since the company’s establishment, according to its annual report. He also sits on the company’s board.
His potential departure would represent a significant leadership change for Nvidia, which has become a leading supplier of the advanced processors used to develop and operate artificial intelligence systems.
Under Huang’s leadership, Nvidia has emerged as a central beneficiary of the global expansion in artificial intelligence investment, supplying chips used by technology companies and data centre operators to build AI infrastructure.
The company’s growing influence has also placed Huang at the centre of the technology competition between the United States and China, as governments and businesses seek greater control over advanced semiconductor technology.
