NVIDIA Opposes US Lawmakers’ Proposal for ‘Kill Switch’ Integration in AI Chips for China Exports; Claims It Undermines Critical Infrastructure and Is Unfeasible

NVIDIA has recently addressed the speculation surrounding the inclusion of kill switches and backdoors in its AI chips, firmly stating that it has no intention of pursuing such features.

NVIDIA Reaffirms Commitment to Secure Chips Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

In response to inquiries from Chinese regulators regarding the presence of any potential backdoors in their technology, NVIDIA has published a comprehensive blog post that addresses these concerns. The company has openly criticized both ‘pundits and policymakers’, emphasizing that integrating kill switches into AI chips would essentially facilitate access for hackers and hostile entities. They argue that such measures would not only compromise the integrity of US technology abroad but also risk undermining the broader digital ecosystem.

NVIDIA has been designing processors for over thirty years. Embedding backdoors and kill-switches into chips would be a gift to hackers and hostile actors. It would undermine global digital infrastructure and fracture trust in U. S.technology. Established law wisely requires companies to fix vulnerabilities — not create them.

NVIDIA further elaborated on its position by referencing historical events, specifically the ‘Clipper Chip Debacle’.This initiative aimed to introduce a backdoor into encrypted communications for law enforcement. However, it ultimately led to vulnerabilities that could be exploited, posing significant risks. The company warns that a similar approach in designing AI chips could incur serious repercussions that compromise security.

NVIDIA’s proactive communication comes at a crucial time, coinciding with China’s heightened scrutiny of the company’s AI products, which has raised concerns regarding the supply of its H100 chips to domestic markets. While there have been no directly similar measures from the US government, discussions are underway in the Senate regarding potential legislative actions. In the face of these considerations, NVIDIA maintains its strong stance, asserting, “There are no back doors in NVIDIA chips. No kill switches. No spyware. That’s not how trustworthy systems are built—and never will be.”

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