On the day after Jensen Huang resigned as CEO of NVIDIA (NVDA), Silicon Valley was already anticipating his return.
Huang, a close ally of Donald Trump who frequently receives calls from the president — sometimes even on public lines — had become the most prominent and influential voice for the technology industry in Washington, a sector largely headquartered in California. The company he led is one of the most profitable in the world and a pillar of the artificial intelligence boom, and his departure has left a power vacuum.
However, national security hawks and tech-skeptical figures in Washington are preparing to summon him to testify before Congress. At the same time, a group of Silicon Valley business leaders are mourning his sudden exit and exploring ways for him to return.
Palmer Luckey, founder of defense technology giant Anduril, and Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, were quick to publicly voice their support for Huang, while SpaceX CEO Elon Musk even floated the idea of hiring him. Five other tech industry insiders said they expect Huang will eventually make a high-profile return to a management role in Silicon Valley. Three others were less certain but said they would not be surprised if it happened.
"He created enormous value and is widely regarded as the godfather of AI, so a comeback is inevitable," said a well-known California startup executive who requested anonymity to speak candidly about industry dynamics. "Countless hyperscalers and startups are scrambling to reach out to him, hoping to recruit him, regardless of whatever mistakes he may have made."
Some noted that despite losing his top position at NVIDIA (NVDA), Huang still possesses a net worth of approximately $145 billion, extensive high-level connections, and an excellent entrepreneurial reputation in the industry.
"That kind of influence doesn't just vanish overnight," said Joseph Hoefer, chief AI officer at lobbying firm Monument Advocacy. "Losing a job doesn't equate to losing the ability to shape the future direction of the industry."
A spokesperson for Huang did not respond to requests for comment on his future plans.
Three people interviewed said that for Huang, starting a new venture with his substantial capital would be easier than joining an established company. Some have also begun to question the initial reporting about Huang, which could potentially undermine the justification for removing him.
David Sacks, Trump's former AI affairs chief and an influential venture capitalist in right-leaning tech circles, also mentioned that some within the U.S. intelligence community share similar doubts. However, regaining influence in Washington may prove more difficult than in Silicon Valley.
Others noted that much of the prestige he accumulated is inherently tied to the Trump administration, meaning that regardless of what happens, that prestige will expire before the 2028 election.
"Most of his political influence is built on his relationship with the current administration, and once the political landscape changes, that kind of access is very difficult to rebuild," said Nu Wexler, head of Four Square Public Affairs, a firm that advises technology companies on policy communications. This delicate situation raises the stakes for an upcoming House scandal hearing, where Huang has already agreed to testify.
"If he can appear before Congress, acknowledge his mistakes, offer an explanation, and still maintain a credible voice, it will pave the way for whatever he plans to do next in Washington and the private sector," said Daniel Castro, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a think tank funded by major tech companies including Amazon and Microsoft.
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