Nuked 
Hello, tech enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into an intriguing development in the AI chip landscape.
Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, has managed to strike a remarkable deal with the Trump administration, potentially dodging export restrictions on the highly coveted H20 AI chips.
This chip, standing at the forefront of Nvidia’s technology, is one of the few that can still be sent from the U.S. to China. The crucial point here is that Huang’s commitment to investing in new AI data centers in the U.S. played a significant role in this agreement.
Reportedly, the negotiation took place during a dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, highlighting the high stakes at play.
While the semiconductor industry was nervous about the fate of the H20s, which have been modified for lower performance compared to other Nvidia offerings, there were concerns about potential restrictions. These chips were integral to the recent advancements made by China-based DeepSeek in training its R1 open AI model.
The R1 model, launched in January, has garnered attention for outperforming many counterparts from U.S.-based AI labs.
Despite bipartisan calls in the Senate for restrictions on the H20 chips, the Trump administration had initially considered these export controls before the reversal on the restrictions emerged.
This decision raises eyebrows, especially in light of the administration’s stance on ensuring U.S. dominance in AI technologies.
To add another layer, the Trump administration is maintaining stringent AI chip export rules that were put in place by the previous Biden administration. These restrictions, which primarily target nations outside the U.S., have sparked debate within the industry.
Nvidia has strongly criticized these guidelines, arguing they will hinder global innovation rather than promote it.
It’s worth noting that other AI companies are also trying to align with the “America-first” approach to gain favor with policymakers, with partnerships and substantial financial commitments to U.S. AI infrastructure.
For example, OpenAI recently collaborated with SoftBank and Oracle on a $500 billion U.S. data center initiative, while Microsoft has pledged $80 billion for AI data centers in the U.S. over the next fiscal year.
In closing, as the landscape continues to evolve, Nvidia’s negotiations and future investments in AI will be closely watched by many.
