Moonshot AI reportedly accessed Nvidia chips despite export curbs

A White House official said Chinese AI company Moonshot AI accessed Nvidia’s advanced chips even though U.S. export controls restrict shipments to China. The claim comes as Moonshot released its Kimi K3 model last week and as Washington looks for ways to tighten limits on advanced AI hardware. According to the official, Moonshot acquired servers equipped with Nvidia GB300 chips and used them in Thailand, likely to help train its models. Nvidia’s most advanced chips are restricted for direct export to China, but reports have also pointed to Chinese firms using overseas access routes. The case adds to the wider U.S.China competition over artificial intelligence. U.S. officials are also weighing new measures aimed at blocking remote access to controlled hardware, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that sanctions could be considered in cases involving covert distillation or intellectual property theft.