Nvidia CEO downplays U.S. fears that China's military will use his firm's chips

Jensen Huang, the CEO of Nvidia, has sought to alleviate U.S. concerns regarding the possibility of his company's chips being utilized by the Chinese military. Speaking in a CNN interview, Huang emphasized that reliance on U.S. technology by China's military is overstated, asserting, "they simply can't rely on it." He explained that there is already significant computing power available within China, which diminishes their need for Nvidia's advanced chips. Huang's remarks come in light of ongoing U.S. policies that have restricted semiconductor companies from exporting their most sophisticated artificial intelligence chips to China. He criticized these export controls, arguing that they counteract the aim of maintaining U.S. leadership in technology. "To be the global standard in tech, we need to engage with all AI developers worldwide," he stated, pointing out that a substantial portion of these developers are based in China. The recent restrictions imposed by Washington, which took effect in April, are projected to lead to substantial financial losses for Nvidia, with Huang noting that the company has already seen its market share in China shrink by nearly 50%. His interview coincides with his upcoming trip to China, his second visit this year, where he is expected to discuss Nvidia's compliance with the latest export regulations. Huang's balancing act between the U.S. and Chinese markets is further complicated by his recent meetings with U.S. lawmakers and officials, including President Donald Trump, who have cautioned him against associations with companies tied to China's military. Daniel Newman, CEO of tech advisory firm The Futurum Group, commented on Huang's diplomatic approach, stating, "He needs to walk a tightrope to ensure he doesn't provoke the Trump administration while also keeping avenues open for potential investment from China." Despite Huang's reassurances, concerns persist about the use of Nvidia technology in military applications. A U.S. official previously indicated that China's AI startup, DeepSeek, has utilized Nvidia chips to develop models that support military operations. In response to these concerns, Huang acknowledged the potential risks associated with DeepSeek's open-source reasoning model but maintained that there is insufficient evidence to deem it a direct threat. Concluding his remarks, Huang emphasized the competitive yet interdependent nature of the U.S.-China relationship in the tech sector, suggesting that mutual respect is essential as both nations strive for success in the AI domain.