Nvidia Working on Stronger AI Chip for Chinese Market

After gaining approval from US authorities to sell its H20 chip in China,  Nvidia is working on a more powerful offering for the market. Samples would potentially be available for customers as early as next month.

Although the work on the new chip is ongoing, approval to sell it in China is far from guaranteed, given concerns in the US about vendors selling high-end AI technology in China. The chip, initially known as the B30A, is expected to be based on more modern architecture than the H20 but will still deliver much lower computing power than Nvidia’s flagship for markets with no US trade restrictions in place.

Nvidia cut a deal with authorities in the US to restart sales of the China-specific H20 earlier this month, having had to halt shipments when authorities deemed the chip in need of a license to be sold in the country. In a statement in April, the chip company explained that the change of government policy was due to fears it could be used or diverted for use in a supercomputer. Recommencement of sales of the H20 has drawn criticism from both the US and China.