WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — U.S. officials say Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek trained its upcoming AI model using restricted American semiconductor technology, raising fresh concerns about export control violations and intellectual property theft.
A senior Trump administration official told Reuters that DeepSeek used Nvidia’s most advanced AI chip, the Blackwell, to power its new system. The chip is banned from export to China under U.S. Commerce Department rules. The official said the company may try to hide technical evidence of the chip’s use before releasing the model. The allegations could intensify tensions between Washington and Beijing as both countries compete for dominance in artificial intelligence.
The U.S. government bars shipments of Blackwell chips to China. Officials say the restrictions aim to prevent advanced American AI technology from boosting China’s military capabilities.
According to the senior official, DeepSeek likely clustered the chips at a data center in Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region in northern China. The official did not explain how DeepSeek obtained the chips or how U.S. authorities confirmed their use. However, the official stressed that U.S. policy is clear: Blackwell chips are not approved for export to China.
NVIDIA declined to comment. DeepSeek and the Commerce Department did not respond to requests for comment. The Chinese Embassy in Washington criticized U.S. export policies. A spokesperson said China opposes what it calls the politicization of trade and technology issues. China’s Foreign Ministry also said it was not aware of the specific claims.
The issue highlights a growing debate in Washington over advanced AI semiconductor exports. Some policymakers argue that strict export controls protect national security. Others believe limited sales could slow China’s push to develop domestic chip technology.
The White House has wrestled with how far to go. AI adviser David Sacks and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang have argued that allowing some advanced chip sales could reduce China’s incentive to accelerate homegrown alternatives. China hawks disagree. They warn that even commercial AI chips could strengthen China’s military and surveillance systems.
Chris McGuire, a former National Security Council official under President Joe Biden, said the allegations show why exporting AI chips to China poses risks. He argued that companies willing to violate export controls cannot be trusted to follow restrictions that block military use.
Beyond the chip issue, U.S. officials also accuse DeepSeek of using a technique known as distillation to train its new model. Distillation allows a newer AI system to learn from the outputs of an older, more advanced model. Developers use the process widely in AI research. However, U.S. officials claim DeepSeek may have used models created by leading American companies without authorization. The official cited firms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and xAI.
OpenAI and Anthropic have previously raised concerns about foreign competitors attempting to extract value from their models. The administration official echoed those claims, suggesting DeepSeek relied heavily on American AI intellectual property. DeepSeek has not publicly addressed the accusations.
DeepSeek drew global attention last year when it released AI systems that rivaled some leading U.S. models. Its rapid progress surprised investors and policymakers. The company’s advances fueled fears that China could narrow the AI gap despite U.S. trade restrictions. If U.S. authorities confirm that DeepSeek acquired and used Blackwell chips, the findings could shape future export control policy. Lawmakers may push for tighter enforcement or new penalties for companies that bypass restrictions.
The debate also affects Nvidia, the world’s leading AI chipmaker. The company has faced shifting rules on what it can sell to China. President Donald Trump initially signaled support for limited sales of scaled-down chips, then later indicated that the most advanced systems should remain in the United States. Shipments of Nvidia’s H200 chips to China remain stalled over approval conditions.
The allegations against DeepSeek come at a sensitive moment in the global AI race. Artificial intelligence plays a central role in economic growth, defense systems, and technological leadership. Both Washington and Beijing view advanced chips as critical strategic assets. As DeepSeek prepares to release its next model, U.S. officials say they will monitor the situation closely. The outcome could influence the future of U.S.-China technology policy and the rules governing AI development worldwide.
