Chinese AI firms are seeking overseas Nvidia-powered computing capacity as they fear a scandal involving CEO Jensen Huang could spur tighter US restrictions on remote access to advanced chips. A bill that would authorize regulation of such access passed the House 369-22 and awaits Senate action.
Chinese AI firms are trying to rent Nvidia-powered computing capacity at data centres outside China, three people familiar with the matter said. A major Chinese cloud provider has discussed locking in overseas capacity, while some companies and smaller AI labs have contacted data-centre operators, including in Southeast Asia, about reserving it.
The companies fear the controversy surrounding Huang could add political momentum to the Remote Access Security Act, which would give the Commerce Department authority to regulate remote, cloud-based access to restricted technology. The House passed the bill 369-22 in January, and it awaits Senate action.
Two people said traders and intermediaries in China have begun stockpiling restricted Nvidia AI chips amid fears of tougher US enforcement against smuggling. Megaspeed, which has faced scrutiny over suspicions it helped Chinese customers access restricted chips, denied illegally diverting them to China. US prosecutors have charged Super Micro Computer co-founder Yih-Shyan “Wally” Liaw and two others with conspiring to divert servers containing Nvidia chips to China; the defendants have not been convicted.
