By Fanny Potkin
SINGAPORE – Nvidia is working on a version of its new AI chips for the Chinese market that would be compatible with current US export controls, three sources familiar with the matter said.
The AI chip giant unveiled its “Blackwell” series of chips in March, which is expected to be mass-produced by the end of the year. Within this series, the B200 is 30 times faster than its predecessor in some tasks, such as providing chatbot responses.
Nvidia will work with Inspur, one of its main distribution partners in China, on the launch and distribution of the chip that is tentatively called “B20,” two of the sources said.
The sources declined to be identified because Nvidia has not yet made a public announcement.
An Nvidia spokesperson declined to comment. Inspur did not respond to requests for comment.
Washington has tightened its controls on exports of cutting-edge semiconductors to China in 2023, seeking to prevent advances in supercomputing that would help China’s military.
Since then, Nvidia has developed three chips tailored specifically for the Chinese market.
(Reporting by Fanny Potkin in Singapore; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Edwina Gibbs)
