Nvidia is working on a version of its new artificial intelligence chips for the Chinese market that would be compatible with current US export controls, according to reliable sources obtained by Reuters. In March, the AI chip giant unveiled its "Blackwell" series of chips, which are due to go into mass production later this year. Within this range, the B200 chip is 30 times faster than its predecessor for certain tasks, such as sending responses via chatbots.

Nvidia plans to work with Inspur, one of its main distribution partners in China, on the launch and distribution of the chip, which is provisionally named "B20". Neither Nvidia nor Inspur would comment. Washington tightened its controls on advanced semiconductor exports to China in 2023, to prevent breakthroughs in supercomputing that could help the Chinese military. Since then, Nvidia has developed three chips specifically designed for the Chinese market.

However, China is still able to obtain supplies, which has prompted the White House to consider further restrictions, particularly on groups that market production machines, such as ASML or Tokyo Electron.