Chinese artificial intelligence groups are skirting export controls to access high-end US chips through intermediaries, revealing potential loopholes in Washington’s blockade of cutting-edge technology to the country.
AI surveillance groups targeted by US sanctions have found ways to obtain restricted technology by using cloud providers and rental arrangements with third parties, as well as purchasing the chips through subsidiary companies in China.
iFlytek, a state-backed voice recognition company blacklisted by Washington in 2019, has been renting access to Nvidia’s A100 chips, which are critical in the race to develop groundbreaking AI applications and services, according to two staffers with direct knowledge of the matter.