Nvidia Denies Chinese Claims About Security Risks in H20 AI Chips

Nvidia, the giant in the semiconductor industry, denied claims by official Chinese media that its H20 AI chips threaten China's national security. The response came after a report published by "Reuters" citing the Youyuan Tantian account of the Chinese Broadcasting and Television Authority (CCTV), which alleged that the chips "are neither technologically advanced nor environmentally friendly".

The article published on the "WeChat" platform stated: "When a type of chip is not environmentally friendly, advanced, or safe, as consumers, we certainly have the option not to buy it," indicating that the chips may contain a "backdoor" that allows for "remote shutdown" of devices.

A spokesperson for Nvidia confirmed to "CNBC" that: "Cybersecurity is extremely important to us. Nvidia does not have 'vulnerabilities' in its chips that would allow anyone to access or control them remotely".

The company also rejected previous accusations on Tuesday regarding the inclusion of a hardware feature for a "remote kill switch" in its chips.

These statements come amid rising tensions between the United States and China over semiconductor export restrictions, despite Nvidia resuming sales of H20 chips in the Chinese market. The official Chinese media described these chips as "lower quality and riskier" compared to advanced counterparts like H100 and B100, while Nvidia defended its products.

Nvidia had previously lifted a U.S. ban on chip sales in China, which had been imposed by the Trump administration in April. The development of the H20 chips _which are less advanced versions of its flagship models_ came in response to U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI chips in late 2023, which were based on concerns about China's use of advanced technologies to enhance its military and AI superiority.

While Chinese criticism of Nvidia's chips continues, the company reaffirms its commitment to security standards and denies any security vulnerabilities, at a time when technical relations between the two countries are experiencing increasing tension.