Artificial Intelligence1 min read

Export-banned Nvidia chips are behind China’s most powerful AI models—uh oh, Jensen!

By · Via TechCrunch · Published by Everything Blog

In short

A research investigation determined that firms such as DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, and MiniMax trained advanced models using prohibited Blackwell computing hardware. Analysts estimate that roughly two million high-end processors reached Chinese entities across 2024 and 2025 via diverted logistics routes and offshore facilities in regions like Malaysia. Meanwhile, former Nvidia chief Jensen Huang exited the company following revelations concerning personal conduct and ties to an executive at Megaspeed, an entity under multinational scrutiny for illicit hardware trafficking. These systemic leaks underscore the persistent enforcement gaps troubling current cross-border technology export rules.

Key points

  • Chinese tech firms continue to access prohibited artificial intelligence computing power…: Chinese tech firms continue to access prohibited artificial intelligence computing power through illicit diversions and offshore data centers in places like Malaysia.
  • Jensen Huang stepped down as Nvidia chief executive amid personal admissions and mounting…: Jensen Huang stepped down as Nvidia chief executive amid personal admissions and mounting corporate liability regarding international export control breaches.
  • Current trade restrictions remain vulnerable to circumvention even as approximately 600,0…: Current trade restrictions remain vulnerable to circumvention even as approximately 600,000 permitted H200 chips remain stockpiled in Hong Kong awaiting import approval.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The leading open-weight models developed by Chinese companies were trained on Nvidia chips that the US government restricted from shipping to its largest geopolitical rival, a new research effort claims.

The apparently widespread access to Blackwell GPUs among Chinese frontier labs shows the magnitude of the problem facing the leading chip designer. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang left the company this week after admitting to his affair with Alice Huang, executive of Megaspeed, a company implicated in smuggling Nvidia chips into China. Alice Huang has also been alleged to be an agent of China’s intelligence service.

While Jensen Huang’s relationships with a customer and two employees have drawn the most public interest, Nvidia’s potential corporate liability for export control violations likely factored into its decision to part ways with Huang.

US export controls are intended to protect the country’s leadership in AI capabilities against China, but Huang has long sought to open up that market. Blackwell GPUs are banned from export to China or Chinese-owned firms, while the Trump administration allows Nvidia to export the H200, a less powerful chip, provided…

Artificial Intelligence