New Nvidia B20 AI Chip Targets Chinese Market Amid US Restrictions

Nvidia is reportedly working on a new AI chip, the B20, designed for the Chinese market. This information comes from three sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters, indicating that the chip will comply with US export restrictions. US Export Control Policies In October 2023, the United States introduced stringent export controls affecting high-performance AI chips and related technologies. These regulations aim to limit China’s military capacities, safeguard US national security, and sustain the country’s position in AI leadership. These rules arrived shortly after the debut of ChatGPT, underscoring the fast-paced evolution in AI and its geopolitical implications. Two sources disclosed that Nvidia plans to work with Inspur, a significant distributor partner in China, to manufacture the B20 chip. Both companies have yet to confirm this partnership, and sources requested anonymity due to the absence of an official announcement. Expected Specifications The sources did not share specific technical details of the B20. However, it is anticipated to be less powerful than the B200 from Nvidia’s Blackwell series, which was unveiled earlier this year. The B200 features notable benchmarks such as 30 times the inference performance of its predecessor, the H100, achieving 20 petaflops of FP4 performance from 208 billion transistors, fabricated on a custom TSMC 4NP process. It excels in AI training and supports complex applications like generative AI and large language models. Production for the B20 chip is slated to begin in late 2024. This chip aims to balance robust AI functionalities with adherence to US export regulations. It forms part of Nvidia’s strategy to maintain its presence in the Chinese market, navigating a challenging regulatory landscape. The arrival of the B20 chip will be closely monitored, especially in comparison to the B200. Nvidia’s approach to balancing compliance with US regulations and catering to the Chinese market could serve as a model for other tech firms in similar situations. The performance and reception of the B20 will play a pivotal role in shaping Nvidia’s future strategies in the region.