Nvidia Develops Tracking Software Amid Rising Chip Smuggling Allegations
Nvidia is reportedly in the process of developing innovative software designed to track the geographic location of its AI chips, coinciding with increasing allegations that these chips are being smuggled into China. According to a report from Reuters, which cites confidential sources, this new location verification technology has the potential to accurately determine the country in which a chip is operating.
The software functions by monitoring computing performance metrics, and the inherent communication latency between servers can also provide insights into a chip’s specific location. As confirmed by Reuters, the implementation of this tracking system will be option-based for consumers, with Blackwell chips set to be the first to utilize this technology.
Recent reports allege that China’s DeepSeek AI models have been developed using smuggled Nvidia Blackwell chips. However, Nvidia has stated that it has not identified any concrete evidence to substantiate these smuggling claims.
This development occurs shortly after Nvidia received approval from the U.S. Government to resume sales of its H200 AI chips to select clients in China, an announcement that specifically pertains to older H200 models and not the newer Blackwell chips.
Key Highlights:
– Nvidia is testing software for tracking AI chip locations amid smuggling concerns.
– The tracking technology is designed for optional use with Blackwell chips.
– Allegations link DeepSeek AI models to smuggled Nvidia chips, though Nvidia denies evidence of wrongdoing.
– The company has recently gained U.S. authorization to sell H200 chips to approved Chinese customers.
