Nvidia Boss "Disappointed" by China Chip Ban, Says He'll Be Patient
The boss of Nvidia, Jensen Huang, expressed disappointment on Wednesday that China has reportedly ordered its top technology companies to halt purchases of the firm's artificial intelligence (AI) chips. The move comes after a previous ban was lifted in July.
According to reports, China's internet regulator has instructed its top tech firms to stop buying Nvidia's AI chips, which are considered crucial for the development of advanced technologies such as facial recognition and autonomous vehicles. This decision is seen as a significant setback for Nvidia, the world's leading chipmaker, which had previously been banned from selling its most advanced chips to China.
Nvidia had faced restrictions on selling its high-end graphics processing units (GPUs) to Chinese companies due to US export controls. However, in July, US President Donald Trump reversed the ban, allowing Nvidia to resume sales of its top-tier GPUs to China. The latest development suggests that the ban has been reinstated.
In a statement, Huang said he was "disappointed" by the move but remained optimistic about the company's prospects. "There are a lot of places we can't go to, and that's fine," he told reporters on Wednesday. Huang is one of several tech bosses accompanying Trump on his state visit to the UK.
The decision to halt purchases of Nvidia's AI chips has significant implications for China's technology sector, which relies heavily on imports from US companies like Nvidia. The move may also have broader implications for the global tech industry, as it highlights the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China.
According to analysts, the ban is likely a response to the US-China trade tensions, which have been escalating in recent months. "This decision is a reflection of the growing tensions between the two countries," said an analyst at a leading research firm. "It's not just about Nvidia; it's about the broader implications for the tech industry as a whole."
Nvidia has yet to comment on the specifics of the ban or its plans to adapt to the new restrictions. However, Huang's statement suggests that the company is prepared to navigate the challenges posed by the ban. "We'll be patient and see how things develop," he said.
The current status of the ban remains unclear, with Nvidia and other affected companies waiting for further guidance from Chinese authorities. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the tech industry responds to this latest development in the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC Technology and BBC Business.
