Europe Trip Showcases Salesman-like Appeal
Bloomberg's tech news channel Bloomberg Tech released an interview video in which host Ed Ludlow interviewed senior reporter Emily Chang to discuss the impact of Jensen Huang's departure on Nvidia. Chang followed Huang across Europe last month, traveling to France, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Germany in 4 days, closely observing his interactions with political and business leaders and tech industry figures. She described Huang as the center of attention wherever he went, mobbed by tech developers, with long lines stretching from the door to the street. He also exchanged warmly with national leaders, tech company CEOs, entrepreneurs and the media, demonstrating strong personal appeal. Observers often describe Huang with salesman-like confidence, as if he clearly knows what the entire world wants. She noted that Nvidia still has the best AI chips on the market, and Huang personally has played an important role in the company's success.
Political and Business Ties and Trump Connection in Focus
Chang said the Europe trip let her see firsthand how close Huang's relationships with government officials are. Now that he has resigned as CEO, those long-built ties could be affected, including the direct connection built in recent years with U.S. President Trump. Huang previously cultivated his global political and business network by personally standing on the front line, and both his unique corporate management system and network now face tests.
60 Direct Reports Make Succession Difficult
Huang's personal leadership style is also reflected in Nvidia's organizational structure. Ludlow noted that about 60 executives report directly to Huang, who in turn manage tens of thousands of employees. Chang believes this Huang-centered management model, long seen as key to Nvidia's success, now makes succession and corporate governance difficult. Huang is the only CEO in Nvidia's 33-year history, and there is currently no clear internal successor. Although Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has become interim CEO, how Nvidia will carry on Huang's distinctive leadership remains a major challenge.
Family Members and Stance on China Chips
Huang's elder daughter Madison Huang, once mentioned as a possible successor, currently serves as senior director of product and technology marketing. Chang recalled that Madison Huang accompanied her father throughout the Europe visit, and several times while reporters waited for interviews, arranged for staff to bring food and drinks. Huang's son Spencer Huang and son-in-law also work at Nvidia. However, Huang said in a Bloomberg interview last month that he did not want to force the CEO role on his children, and that if they sought to succeed him, they must earn it on their own merit. On China chip policy, Chang noted that Huang has long advocated selling advanced U.S. chips to China so China's AI industry keeps using U.S. technology and does not develop alternatives on its own. She said this is Nvidia's overall policy position, but as national security disputes emerge, the argument faces renewed scrutiny.