WORLDTECHNew Matrix, a Chinese firm with empty offices, is on Nvidia H200 approval list
Questions are being raised about whether the Commerce Department and Nvidia properly vet Chinese companies approved to handle the firm's H200 AI chips. The New York Times reports that one approved company, New Matrix, occupies offices that appear to be empty.
Doubts over screening of approved buyers
The concerns centre on how thoroughly Chinese businesses are examined before they are cleared to work with Nvidia's H200 AI chips. The reporting available does not say which checks were carried out, so it remains unclear whether the due diligence expected of a buyer or investor was done.
Nvidia is a semiconductor company based in Santa Clara that was founded in 1993.
Vacant premises at an approved firm
According to The New York Times, New Matrix appears on the list of approved firms. The paper describes its premises as an empty grey shell, with wires hanging from the ceiling where lights should be.
So far these observations rest on this single report. The information available contains no response from the Commerce Department, Nvidia or New Matrix.
Open questions
- What due diligence did the Commerce Department and Nvidia carry out on New Matrix before approving it?
- Does New Matrix have an active operation able to handle H200 chips?