The Chief Security Officer of Nvidia, David Reber Jr., has taken to the company’s blog to assert the company’s position against the implementation of kill switches and backdoors in its graphics processing units (GPUs). This declaration comes at a time when both U.S. and Chinese officials are raising concerns regarding security and control of AI chips.
Reber Jr.’s blog post appears to be specifically aimed at U.S. lawmakers who have been advocating for regulations that could require tech companies like Nvidia to install tracking systems for their chips. A recent bipartisan initiative called the Chip Security Act proposes measures that could lead to the inclusion of remote disabling capabilities within these products.
In his post, Reber Jr. expressed concern over proposals that suggest hardware components could include hidden kill switches or controls allowing remote shutdowns of GPUs without the user’s knowledge or permission. He addressed the apprehensions voiced by some in China regarding the possibility of existing backdoor vulnerabilities in H20 chips being sold within the nation.
Reber Jr. firmly stated, “There is no such thing as a ‘good’ secret backdoor; only dangerous vulnerabilities that need to be eliminated.” He characterized the implementation of kill switches as “an open invitation for disaster,” further emphasizing to U.S. policymakers that such measures could pose serious risks to national and economic security.
While both Nvidia and the U.S. government aim to position the company as the primary AI chip supplier for China, the notion of providing the U.S. government direct access to Nvidia’s technology could jeopardize its standing in that market. As Chinese semiconductor firms enhance their capabilities, there is concern that Nvidia may face tougher competition from companies like Huawei, which have had past experiences with market share loss stemming from allegations of governmental interference.
