NYT: Some China firms cleared for Nvidia H200 chips have empty offices, sanctions ties
A New York Times investigation found that some Chinese firms approved by the US Commerce Department to handle Nvidia's H200 AI chips have empty offices and ties to entities under sanctions. The Verge reports the case of New Matrix, an approved firm whose offices are described as a hollow shell, with little evidence the company meaningfully exists. The reports raise concerns about due diligence by both the Commerce Department and Nvidia in vetting approved firms.
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New York Times : Investigation: some Chinese firms approved by the US Commerce Department to handle Nvidia's H200 chips have empty offices and ties to firms under sanctions — The Commerce Department has approved dozens of Chinese companies to handle Nvidia's H200 chips, some of which have ties to firms under sanctions over national security.
The Verge AITerrence O’Brien
Concerns are being raised that neither the Commerce Department nor Nvidia are doing their due diligence when it comes to vetting Chinese firms cleared to handle the company's H200 AI chips. According to The New York Times , New Matrix is on the list of approved firms, yet its offices are empty, "a hollow gray shell with wires dangling from the ceiling where lights should be." In fact, the paper could find little evidence that the company exists in any meaningful way: Only scant information can be found online about New Matrix, which was created 17 months ago. At the building that New Matrix lists as its address, a company directory does not … Read the full story at The Verge.
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