China probes Nvidia over AI chip 'tracking' security risks
Share and Follow

Nvidia, the semiconductor company powering the artificial intelligence revolution, said Thursday that it was buying a $5 billion stake in ailing rival Intel.

The two companies will also begin a partnership to develop chips together for PCs and data centers.

Intel shares surged more than 30% in pre-market trading on the announcement. Nvidia shares advanced about 3%.

The announcement Thursday from Nvidia comes just weeks after the U.S. government purchased a 10% stake in Intel, worth nearly $9 billion, and after Japan’s SoftBank invested $2 billion.

“This is a game changer deal for Intel as it now brings them front and center into the AI game,” wrote tech analyst Dan Ives in a note Thursday. “Along with the recent U.S. Government investment for 10% this has been a golden few weeks for Intel after years of pain and frustration for investors.”

“Today’s announcement further strengthens the US lead in the AI Arms Race against China as Intel now goes from a laggard to a catalyst,” Ives concluded.

It is highly unusual for the U.S. government to hold positions in private companies outside of major financial crises. But Intel has been struggling in recent years with multiple CEO changes and strategy shifts as the firm fell far behind Nvidia and other rivals such as AMD and Broadcom in the mobile phone space and AI arms-race.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, named in March, faced a call from President Donald Trump in August to resign. Trump said Tan was “highly conflicted” after Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., sent a letter to the company expressing “concerns” about Tan’s past work for Chinese firms.

“There is no other solution to this problem,” Trump added in the social media post.

Days later, Tan and Intel management met with Trump in the Oval Office. Trump’s tone toward Tan changed dramatically after that encounter. “The meeting was a very interesting one. His success and rise is an amazing story,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

A week later, the administration and Intel announced the unprecedented investment in the company, using money from the Biden-era CHIPS Act.

At the same time, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has been a familiar face at Trump administration events. On Wednesday night, Huang attended the state dinner at Windsor Castle alongside Trump and King Charles III.

As part of Trump’s visit to the U.K., Nvidia announced it was plowing more than $14 billion into AI and data center infrastructure around the country.

At a news conference Thursday alongside U.K. Prime Minister Kier Starmer, Trump gave Huang a shoutout: “You’re taking over the world, Jensen.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Three landscape supply employees gunned down in Texas shooting, police say

Texas Shooting Incident Claims Lives of Three Landscape Supply Employees, Authorities Report

In a tragic incident on Saturday morning, three employees at a landscape…
Seattle mayor election results 2025

Cleveland Mayoral Race 2025: Unveiling Election Results and Future City Leadership

Cleveland voters are gearing up for a significant decision as they prepare…
FILE - Vice President JD Vance, right, and second lady Usha Vance watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps

JD Vance’s Views on Interfaith Marriage and Religion Stir Controversy

During a recent address at a university event, Vice President JD Vance…
US airlines cancel more than 2,500 weekend flights largely due to government shutdown

Government Shutdown Grounds Over 2,500 US Flights: Weekend Travel Chaos Unfolds

By Saturday evening, U.S. airlines had already called off more than 2,500…
Hilary Duff addresses rumored feud with sister Haylie

Hilary Duff Breaks Silence on Alleged Rift with Sister Haylie

Hilary Duff recently opened up about “family drama,” addressing longstanding fan speculation…
Chicago shooting: 2 men shot, killed during jewelry store armed robbery on West 26th Street in Little Village, police say

Tragic Armed Robbery at Little Village Jewelry Store Claims Two Lives in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Saturday evening, a tragic incident unfolded on the…
Donald Trump wants NFL team to name $3.7billion stadium after him

Donald Trump Proposes Naming Rights for $3.7 Billion NFL Stadium

Reports have surfaced that Donald Trump is keen on having the Washington…
SNAP benefits don't cover healthier diet costs: Study

Study Reveals SNAP Benefits Fall Short in Covering Costs of Healthier Diets

As the government shutdown persists, 42 million low-income individuals relying on SNAP…