Chinese AI company seeks to rent overseas NVIDIA computing power

Reuters reported on November 12, citing three informed sources, that Chinese artificial intelligence companies are attempting to rent Nvidia chip computing power from overseas data centers, concerned that the controversy surrounding Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang may prompt Washington to tighten restrictions on the remote use of advanced processors. The United States has restricted the export of Nvidia's most advanced artificial intelligence chips to China, and Chinese companies can currently use such processors remotely by renting computing power from overseas data centers. A large Chinese cloud service provider has internally discussed whether to secure overseas Nvidia chip capacity, and some companies have contacted data center operators to negotiate reservations. The informed sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter and did not specify the cloud service provider.

Two informed sources stated that smaller artificial intelligence labs are also considering similar arrangements, including reaching out to major computing power rental service providers in Southeast Asia. These companies are concerned that the controversy surrounding Jensen Huang may provide political momentum for the U.S. Remote Access Security Act (RASA). This bill aims to authorize the U.S. Department of Commerce to regulate remote and cloud access to restricted technologies. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill in January with a vote of 369 in favor and 22 against, and it is currently awaiting Senate review. Reuters stated that Nvidia's advanced processors are used to train and run the large models behind generative artificial intelligence products like chatbots, and restricting overseas cloud access will make it more difficult for Chinese developers to obtain high-end computing power without directly importing chips.

Jensen Huang stated on Sunday that he was unfaithful to his wife. The New York Times reported that the individual involved is Alice Huang, a former executive of Singapore cloud computing company Megaspeed, who U.S. authorities have identified as a Chinese intelligence operative. Reuters stated it was unable to independently verify the allegation, and the Chinese side has denied it. Two informed sources said that Alice Huang has business dealings and investment relationships with Chinese tech companies such as Tencent and Alibaba, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Business filings in Singapore reviewed by Reuters show that Alibaba subsidiary Apex Enterprise Solutions had provided financing to Malaysian company Speedmatrix, which is associated with Megaspeed. Megaspeed denied illegally transshipping Nvidia chips subject to U.S. export controls to China. Two other informed sources stated that traders and intermediaries have begun hoarding restricted Nvidia artificial intelligence chips in China's gray market, with buyers concerned that the controversy may prompt the U.S. to take broader action against the smuggling of advanced chips and artificial intelligence servers.