Nvidia senior manager linked to Supermicro scheme smuggling AI servers to China
Nvidia worker indicted after Jensen Huang scolded Supermicro for AI server smuggling.
Nvidia worker indicted after Jensen Huang scolded Supermicro for AI server smuggling.
The short version
- Since 2022, the US has required a license to export semiconductors to China, with the intent of protecting national security by staying ahead of China in the AI race.
- But after the US arrested Supermicro co-founder Wally Liaw in March for allegedly funneling $2.5 billion in restricted AI servers to China since 2024, Taiwan launched a separate probe to learn more about the scheme.
- Taiwan’s investigation found that co-conspirators attempted to falsify documents to make it appear that 130 B300 servers were installed and in use at a Taiwan facility.
What happened
“Supermicro is committed to protecting our advanced technologies and intellectual property. Both US firms will likely need to assess the steps they take to comply with US export controls.
Why it matters
In May, before any Nvidia employees were linked directly to the scheme, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was highly critical of Supermicro for its failing compliance program, urging that a fix was needed, Tom’s Hardware reported .
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica via the links above and below.