By Fanny Potkin
SINGAPORE – Nvidia is working on a version of its new AI flagship for the Chinese market that would be compatible with current U.S. export controls, three sources familiar with the matter said.
The AI chip giant unveiled its “Blackwell” series of chips in March, which are set to go into mass production later this year. Within that series, the B200 is 30 times faster than its predecessor in some tasks, such as delivering answers from chatbots.
Nvidia will partner with Inspur, one of its key distribution partners in China, to launch and distribute the chip, which is tentatively called “B20,” two sources said.
The sources declined to be identified, as Nvidia has yet to make a public announcement.
An Nvidia spokesperson declined to comment. Inspur did not respond to requests for comment.
Washington tightened controls on the export of advanced semiconductors to China in 2023, in an effort to prevent breakthroughs in supercomputers that could help the Chinese military.
Since then, Nvidia has developed three chips specifically tailored to the Chinese market.
(This story has been resubmitted to correct a spelling error in the headline)
(Reporting by Fanny Potkin in Singapore; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Edwina Gibbs)
