China's DeepSeek Uses Nvidia's Blackwell Chip Despite US Ban

Covert AI infrastructure fueling China's technological ambitions despite U.S. export controls.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:54am

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a grid of Nvidia Blackwell AI chips in a data center, illuminated by vibrant neon lights, conceptually representing the hidden technological capabilities fueling China's AI ambitions.Covert AI infrastructure in China challenges the effectiveness of U.S. export controls on advanced chip technology.Washington Today

Despite a U.S. ban on exporting advanced AI chips to China, it appears that Chinese startup DeepSeek has secretly trained its latest AI model on Nvidia's top-tier Blackwell chip. This revelation could spark a heated debate among policymakers, as it challenges the very foundation of U.S. export controls and raises questions about the effectiveness of these regulations.

Why it matters

The U.S. government's response to this revelation remains to be seen. Will they tighten export controls, or is there a more nuanced approach to balancing technological advancement and national security? This story highlights the ongoing tension between China's AI ambitions and the U.S. efforts to maintain its technological dominance.

The details

According to a senior Trump administration official, DeepSeek's AI model, due for release next week, was developed using the Blackwell chip, which is prohibited from being shipped to China. The official believes DeepSeek will erase technical traces of its American chip usage, making it harder to detect. The official also suspects that DeepSeek's Blackwell chips are part of a cluster in Inner Mongolia, where they've been used to train AI models through a process called "distillation".

  • DeepSeek's AI model is due for release next week.

The players

DeepSeek

A Chinese startup that has secretly trained its latest AI model on Nvidia's top-tier Blackwell chip, despite a U.S. ban on exporting advanced AI chips to China.

Nvidia

An American technology company that produces the Blackwell chip, which is prohibited from being shipped to China.

Trump administration official

A senior official in the Trump administration who has revealed the details about DeepSeek's use of the Blackwell chip.

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What they’re saying

“DeepSeek will erase technical traces of its American chip usage, making it harder to detect.”

— Trump administration official

“DeepSeek's Blackwell chips are part of a cluster in Inner Mongolia, where they've been used to train AI models through a process called "distillation".”

— Trump administration official

What’s next

The U.S. government's response to this revelation remains to be seen. They may tighten export controls or explore a more nuanced approach to balancing technological advancement and national security.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between China's AI ambitions and the U.S. efforts to maintain its technological dominance, raising questions about the effectiveness of export controls and the need for a more comprehensive approach to managing the global competition in advanced technologies.