Alphabet Inc's Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) are reportedly providing Chinese companies access to Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA) AI chips through data centers outside China, The Information reports.
The move comes as the current Biden administration imposes restrictions to prevent Chinese firms from utilizing U.S. technology for artificial intelligence, particularly advanced semiconductors.
The U.S. has informed allies that it is considering the strictest trade measures available if crucial chipmaking machinery providers continue with their business relations with China.
The Biden administration has asked cloud companies to scrutinize whether foreign entities are using U.S. data centers to train AI models.
According to the report, Microsoft provides server rental services, including those equipped with Nvidia's A100 and H100 chips, to Chinese customers through data centers located outside China.
Similarly, Google allows Chinese customers to use servers based outside mainland China and ensures that its services comply with U.S. export controls.
Before U.S. export controls, China accounted for more than a quarter of Nvidia's total revenues.
It is to be noted that despite the severe trade curbs, Nvidia is on track to sell $12 billion of artificial intelligence chips in China this year.
It is also reported that Nvidia's advanced AI chips are smuggled into China despite U.S. export restrictions.
An estimate suggests about 12,500 AI chips are smuggled annually, while Nvidia sold over 2.6 million A100 and H100 chips globally last year.
Google and Microsoft maintain that their operations adhere to current U.S. regulations, providing Chinese companies with essential AI capabilities while navigating the complexities of international trade restrictions.
Price Action: GOOGL shares are trading lower by 1.63% at $180.93 at the last check on Wednesday.
《信息报》报道,据报道,Alphabet Inc旗下的谷歌(纳斯达克股票代码:GOOGL)和微软公司(纳斯达克股票代码:MSFT)正在通过中国境外的数据中心为中国公司提供获得英伟达公司(纳斯达克股票代码:NVDA)人工智能芯片的机会。
此举是在现任拜登政府实施限制措施以防止中国企业利用美国的人工智能,尤其是先进的半导体技术之际采取的。
美国已告知盟国,如果关键芯片制造机械供应商继续与中国保持业务关系,它正在考虑采取最严格的贸易措施。
拜登政府已要求云公司审查外国实体是否正在使用美国数据中心来训练人工智能模型。
根据该报告,微软通过位于中国境外的数据中心向中国客户提供服务器租赁服务,包括配备英伟达A100和H100芯片的服务。
同样,谷歌允许中国客户使用位于中国大陆以外的服务器,并确保其服务符合美国的出口管制。
在美国出口管制之前,中国占英伟达总收入的四分之一以上。
值得注意的是,尽管有严格的贸易限制,但英伟达今年有望在中国出售120亿美元的人工智能芯片。
另据报道,尽管有美国的出口限制,英伟达的先进人工智能芯片仍被走私到中国。
据估计,每年走私的人工智能芯片约有12,500个,而英伟达去年在全球售出超过260万个A100和H100芯片。
谷歌和微软坚持认为,他们的业务符合美国现行法规,为中国公司提供基本的人工智能能力,同时应对国际贸易限制的复杂性。
价格走势:在周三的最后一次支票中,谷歌股价下跌1.63%,至180.93美元。