Latest news with #Dally
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Nvidia sounds the alarm: Chinese AI talent defecting to Huawei as U.S. chip curbs push them out the door
Nvidia is sounding the alarm about the unintended impact of US export restrictions on sending chips to China, as the company's senior VP of research and chief scientist, Bill Dally, said that the chipmaker is now witnessing an increasing number of former Nvidia AI researchers joining Huawei, a move prompted primarily by the tightening export controls, as per a PC Gamer to Dally's calculation, the number of AI researchers working in China has grown from a third of the world's total in 2019 to nearly half at present, reported PC Gamer, which cited a translation from the Taiwan Economic Daily report. The AI chipmaker's rationale is that without US restrictions, Huawei wouldn't be forced to focus so much on domestic AI solutions, but now it must do so to keep up, according to the PC Gamer report. However, this is not the first time Nvidia is pointing out that the US export restrictions for China are harming the AI industry in America. Even during Computex last month, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said, "AI researchers are still doing AI research in China and if they don't have enough Nvidia, they will use their own [chips]," and he also spoke regarding Huawei specifically, saying the company has become "quite formidable", reported PC Gamer. While, it is not just the US national interest that has urged Nvidia to highlight all the possible negatives of export controls, as these restrictions have cost and will cost the chipmaker lots of money, according to the report. Nvidia had revealed that after billions of dollars lost due to the restrictions of its H20 chips to China in Q1, it's expecting another $8 billion to be lost for the same reason in Q2, reported PC Gamer. According to the report, Huawei's latest Ascend 910 and 920 chips, with the help of China's SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation), would be a better option for Chinese AI companies than trying to get their hands on Nvidia chips, as per the report. Why is Nvidia concerned about its AI researchers joining Huawei? Because it signals that export restrictions might be pushing top talent and innovation into China, instead of slowing its progress. How much money has Nvidia lost from these restrictions? Nvidia says it lost billions in Q1 and expects another $8 billion in losses in Q2 due to blocked chip sales to China.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nvidia sounds the alarm: Chinese AI talent defecting to Huawei as U.S. chip curbs push them out the door
Nvidia is sounding the alarm about the unintended impact of US export restrictions on sending chips to China, as the company's senior VP of research and chief scientist, Bill Dally, said that the chipmaker is now witnessing an increasing number of former Nvidia AI researchers joining Huawei, a move prompted primarily by the tightening export controls, as per a PC Gamer report. AI Talent Spike in China According to Dally's calculation, the number of AI researchers working in China has grown from a third of the world's total in 2019 to nearly half at present, reported PC Gamer, which cited a translation from the Taiwan Economic Daily report. US Export Restrictions Fuel Domestic Innovation in China The AI chipmaker's rationale is that without US restrictions, Huawei wouldn't be forced to focus so much on domestic AI solutions, but now it must do so to keep up, according to the PC Gamer report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo However, this is not the first time Nvidia is pointing out that the US export restrictions for China are harming the AI industry in America. Even during Computex last month, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said, "AI researchers are still doing AI research in China and if they don't have enough Nvidia, they will use their own [chips]," and he also spoke regarding Huawei specifically, saying the company has become "quite formidable", reported PC Gamer. Big Financial Stakes for Nvidia While, it is not just the US national interest that has urged Nvidia to highlight all the possible negatives of export controls, as these restrictions have cost and will cost the chipmaker lots of money, according to the report. Live Events Nvidia had revealed that after billions of dollars lost due to the restrictions of its H20 chips to China in Q1, it's expecting another $8 billion to be lost for the same reason in Q2, reported PC Gamer. Huawei and SMIC Step Up According to the report, Huawei's latest Ascend 910 and 920 chips, with the help of China's SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation), would be a better option for Chinese AI companies than trying to get their hands on Nvidia chips, as per the report. FAQs Why is Nvidia concerned about its AI researchers joining Huawei? Because it signals that export restrictions might be pushing top talent and innovation into China, instead of slowing its progress. How much money has Nvidia lost from these restrictions? Nvidia says it lost billions in Q1 and expects another $8 billion in losses in Q2 due to blocked chip sales to China.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nvidia's research boss claims the company's Chinese AI researchers are now writing programs for Huawei instead and is blaming the US chip exports
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Nvidia's been banging the drum against the United State's China chip export restrictions for a while now, but while it had previously highlighted this in broad terms, the company now seems to be getting more direct with its claims. According to a machine translation of a report from Taiwan Economic Daily (via Wccftech), Nvidia's chief scientist and senior VP of research, Bill Dally, claims that Huawei is scooping up ex-Nvidia AI researchers as a result of the restrictions. According to Dally, admittedly via a machine translation, the growth in the number of AI researchers working in China—apparently growing from a third of the world's researchers in 2019 to almost half of them today—has been forced by the US export restrictions. The idea is that without these restrictions, Huawei wouldn't be forced to lean so strongly into home-grown AI solutions, but now it must do so to keep up. Nvidia is clearly keen on presenting this argument (probably in hopes that the US administration specifically will hear it) to show that there are arguable downsides of banning its exports to China for the US. It certainly appeals to the ears of those concerned about the US-China technological arms race. As I said, though, the general argument isn't new—Nvidia has been touting it for a while. At Computex last month, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said: "AI researchers are still doing AI research in China" and "if they don't have enough Nvidia, they will use their own [chips]." And regarding Huawei specifically, Huang said the company has become "quite formidable". There is, of course, another reason other than US national interest that might make Nvidia keen to highlight possible negatives of export controls. Namely, the fact that these restrictions have cost and will cost the company lots of money. Nvidia itself has confirmed this, stating that after billions of dollars lost through restrictions of its H20 chips to China in Q1, it's expecting another $8 billion to be lost for the same reason in Q2. That's because Hopper, the company's previous chip architecture, "is no longer an option", according to the CEO. Huawei's latest Ascend 910 and 920 chips, courtesy of China's SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation), will probably now be better options for Chinese AI companies than trying to get hands on Nvidia silicon somehow. And with ex-Nvidia researchers now apparently padding out the Chinese industry, who knows what will be cooked up next and when. Nvidia certainly seems to be presenting itself as worried about what's to come. The company can't complain about the vaguely 'poachy' aspect of this, though, really—not when Nvidia seems to be enticing likely TSMC employees in Taiwan with high salary job advertisements. Sometimes business is just business, you know? Best gaming PC: The top pre-built gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming. Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers consider tax incentives to promote employee ownership and safe gun storage
Wisconsin State Capitol (Wisconsin Examiner photo) Wisconsin lawmakers considered new tax incentives meant to encourage the development of more employee-owned businesses and cooperatives and to promote safe gun storage. Both measures drew bipartisan support during a hearing Tuesday in the Assembly Way and Means Committee. One bill — AB 17 — would provide a tax credit to businesses that make the transition to a model that gives employees a stake. The credit would cover 70% of the costs for converting a business to a worker-owned cooperative or 50% of the costs for converting the business to an employee stock ownership plan. Businesses could receive a maximum of $100,000 from the tax credit. In a worker-owned cooperative, employees jointly own the business and have control over its operations. Employee stock ownership plans give employees partial or full ownership of a company's stock as an investment for their retirement. According to the UW Center for Cooperatives, there are 728 cooperatives across the state, including 33 worker-owned cooperatives. The bill would create an individual income tax subtraction and a corporate income and franchise tax deduction for the capital gain realized from the conversion. It would also instruct the Department of Revenue to create a program to promote employee-owned and cooperative business structures, providing education, outreach, technical assistance and training. 'More than ever, Wisconsin benefits from companies keeping jobs here, investing in their communities and staying locally owned,' bill coauthor Sen. Jesse James (R-Thorp) told lawmakers on the committee. This type of business structure, he said, is a 'strong tool' to encourage that goal. James said the tax incentive would help businesses considering switching because the conversion process can be complicated and expensive. According to the National Center for Employee Ownership, a transition to a worker-owned model can initially cost between $10,000 and $30,000. Converting to an employee stock ownership plan can generally cost between $100,000 and $300,000, with ongoing costs of $20,000 to $30,000 a year. Several Wisconsinites who have benefited from making the switch testified in favor of the bill. John Dally, a veterinarian, said it would provide 'critical support' for cooperatives in Wisconsin. Dally started a practice about 20 years ago with a colleague in Spring Green, and in 2020, they acquired another location in Mazomanie. As they were getting older, he said, they began considering retirement and the future for their business, Cooperative Veterinary Care. 'We wanted to ensure the practice would stay in these small communities, continue to serve the families and the pets that we just come to know and love — we've worked with them for our entire careers — and we also wanted to have some fair and equitable options for our employees and have a return on our investment to sell,' Dally said. Dally said historically veterinary practices would be sold to younger associates, but with increasing costs of education, many young veterinarians cannot take on the additional debt that comes with taking it over. Private equity firms and large corporations have also been acquiring small practices in recent years, he said. According to Brakke Consulting, a veterinary management consulting firm, nearly 25% of general veterinary practices and 75% of specialty practices, such as emergency and surgery care, are owned by large corporations. The issue of consolidation in the pet care field by large corporations has gotten the attention of U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. 'We were looking around and thinking, what could we do, and I came upon this idea of employee ownership and it just made total sense,' Dally said. He said the transition in 2022 to a worker-owned cooperative cost about $30,000. He said a grant helped with the expense, and they also received support from the UW Center for Cooperatives. Dally said that their team of veterinarians, technicians and assistants have been able to take ownership of the business. The employees, he said, range in age from 20 to 58 and come from a variety of backgrounds. 'We all came together to create bylaws, manage the business, make decisions about how to allocate resources in smart and equitable ways,' Dally said. He said the cooperative has kept these veterinary services in these communities when they might have closed as they retired or sold to a large corporation who may or may not have kept them there. In the three years since transitioning, Dally said the worker cooperative has developed a beneficial health insurance program and a mental health program, invested in new equipment, raised wages and distributed additional profits back to the employees. 'It's just created a tangible, positive impact on our local communities. It provides a clear pathway for employees to not only work for the business, but to own a piece of it and benefit from its success and all their efforts and enthusiasm,' Dally said. 'Our experience in transitioning to this model is proof that it works, particularly in small communities.' Dally said it would not have been possible without the help they received, and the bill could provide the necessary support to other businesses looking to make the transition. 'It will allow businesses like ours to thrive and continue serving their communities while providing meaningful economic benefits for workers. It has the potential to change the landscape of business ownerships in Wisconsin, especially in these rural communities that are often overlooked by larger corporate interests,' Dally said. 'We need your support to make this a reality.' Kristin Forde with the UW Center for Cooperatives told lawmakers that the center's staff has seen greater interest in employee ownership as a succession strategy for retiring owners, but the models remain largely unknown among business owners. Forde said the state is likely to face a crisis in business as Baby Boomers prepare to retire. 'We really see employee ownership as… a solution to that problem,' Forde said. The legislation, she said, would tie together education and financial incentives to ensure that employee-owned cooperatives are a 'feasible solution to retaining jobs and services in our communities.' Republicans and Democrats also appeared supportive of AB 10, which would eliminate sales taxes on devices meant to ensure safe storage of guns. According to the CDC, unintentional injury is a top cause of death among children with guns being a leading method for injury. 'It was kind of jarring to hear that,' bill coauthor Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) said. Neylon said unsecured firearms are a major cause for those deaths and injuries, and that he wanted to propose a way to make safe storage more affordable. 'This isn't about politics,' Neylon said. 'This is about saving kids' lives.' Neylon said after hearing from constituents and consulting with the state Department of Revenue, he has amended the bill to cover a variety of devices in addition to gun safes. The amendment defines a 'firearm storage device' as a locked and fully enclosed container and excludes glass-faced display cabinets. It adds 'firearm safety' devices, 'installed on a firearm designed to prevent unauthorized access to the firearm or to prevent it from being operated without first deactivating the device.' Rep. Joan Fitzgerald (D-Fort Atkinson) said she supports the action, but called for more to be done. 'Protecting our kids and our communities should be top of mind for many of us… and there are a lot of people that are not responsible gun owners, so I do think we need to do more in this area,' Fitzgerald said. Gov. Tony Evers has also included the proposal in his 2025-27 budget, but Republican leaders on the Joint Finance Committee have removed it from his previous budget proposals and have said they plan to write their own budget. Fitzgerald asked Neylon why he proposed the measure if it was included in Evers' budget. 'I think, personally, this is at risk of being pulled out of the budget as a public policy item,' Neylon said. While his bill does have a fiscal impact, 'I think there's precedent of doing this through legislation in the past,' he added. 'But if it ultimately is in a budget that I support, I would be happy about that.' Lawmakers also considered AB 64, which would allow teachers to claim a tax deduction of up to $300 for expenses, including professional development courses, books and other classroom supplies. It, too, has bipartisan support. Bill coauthors Sen. Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac) and Rep. David Armstrong (R-Rice Lake said) the bill mirrors the deduction that is already available for teachers when they file their federal taxes. 'This would double the potential benefit and bring teachers significantly closer to be made whole,' Armstrong said. Armstrong noted that teachers 'sometimes find it necessary to purchase books or supplies for their classrooms.' He added that he has two daughters who are teachers and remind him about the costs 'consistently at the beginning of school.' CESA 6 CEO Ted Neitzke told lawmakers his wife, a Sheboygan middle school language arts teacher, has a classroom with likely 'tens of thousands of dollars worth of Mrs. Neitzke's investments in books and materials.' 'This is something that… would be a great tool for local school systems, especially when we're competing nationally for talent, to be able to support our staff in reimbursing some costs that they spend,' Neitzke said. 'Any little bit helps.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The secret to Nvidia's research success: Failing often and quickly
In the span of just a few short years, Nvidia (NVDA) has become one of the most important chip companies in the world. Revenues have skyrocketed from $27 billion in the company's fiscal 2023 to $130.5 billion in its fiscal 2025. Share prices are also soaring more than 680% since January 2023. Not quite a household name like other Big Tech firms, Nvidia is at the center of the global AI push thanks to its powerful chips, including the Blackwell Ultra, which the company showed off during its annual GTC event on Monday. A number of technologies behind those processors, the ones that power gaming PCs around the world, and the software that runs both all originated in Nvidia's relatively small research and development department: The appropriately named Nvidia Research. Established in 2006, the group is responsible for everything from Nvidia's ray-tracing technology, which creates realistic lighting for gamers and professional designers, to NVLink and NVSwitch, which allow graphics chips and central processing units (CPUs) to communicate at the kind of speeds needed for AI systems. Currently, the organization is working on new chip architectures, quantum computing, and software simulators that teach robots and self-driving cars how to navigate the real world. It's all meant to keep pushing Nvidia forward at a time when it's already riding high. And to do that the research team has adopted a willingness to fail more often than not while also giving promising projects the time they need to succeed, no matter how long it takes. 'We have to realize that most things we start in Research fail, and that's actually a good thing,' explained Bill Dally, senior vice president of research and chief scientist at Nvidia. 'I tell people, you know, if everything you do succeeds, you're not swinging for the fences. You're bunting.' While Nvidia has developed a number of impressive technologies over the years, the company's research team isn't nearly as large as some of those at other Silicon Valley companies. 'We're a tiny fraction of the size of competitive research labs,' Dally said. 'We're 300 [people] and yet, I think in things that matter, we punch well above our weight. And I think the real measure of that, for me, is our impact over the years on getting things to [a marketable] product.' According to Dally, the best researchers are those who come up with an idea, test it, and, if it doesn't work out, abandon it without wasting resources on it. But if a concept looks like it could pan out, the company will continue to chip away at it until it's a worthwhile product or technology. Nvidia's ray tracing is a perfect example. The product took 10 years to develop but is now used across hundreds of major games and in design software. 'I think it's quite extraordinary that the company was able to follow through on a vision that took more than 10 years to implement,' said Bryan Catanzaro, vice president of applied deep learning research at Nvidia. 'AI is the most important example of that,' Catanzaro, who joined Nvidia as an intern in 2008, explained. 'AI in 2011 was considered old and dumb and dead. It's like, people have been trying this since the 1950s and it's never worked, so why would it work now? But there were a few of us that believed this was really an opportunity and so the company gave us the space to continue trying things out and then to produce kind of incrementally better results, which then led to more investment incrementally,' added Catanzaro. Nvidia's DLSS, or deep learning super sampling, is another example of a product the company continued to pursue despite early struggles. Introduced in 2019, the first iteration of DLSS improves a game's image quality and performance using AI. But the software didn't hit the mark out of the gate. I remember trying it out on my own computer and not seeing much improvement while playing games. Fast-forward to today, and the company now offers DLSS 4, which dramatically improves game visuals for even the most resource-intensive titles, including 'Cyberpunk 2077.' 'DLSS 1.0 was not great, and a lot of people thought that it was a bad idea, this was a bad technology. We believed in it,' Catanzaro said. 'I think Nvidia just has this unshakable belief when it knows something is true about the future, it just keeps banging away at it.' Not every successful research project ends up as a product that directly generates revenue. However, they can help power sales indirectly by driving GPU sales. 'I'm perfectly happy with people developing … applications for GPUs that broaden the market,' Dally explained. "Recently, our folks did this thing called Sana, which is this text-to-[image] generative network. And so it doesn't go into a product, but it's still a great success because people outside use it, and therefore it fuels demand for GPUs." That's ultimately the goal. But the company's newly unveiled Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin superchip also come at a time when Nvidia is facing increased competition. AMD is offering up its own AI chips designed to rival Nvidia and the company's customers are developing or deploying specialized AI processors of their own. There are also market-shaking moves like the release of DeepSeek's R1 AI model, which sent Nvidia's market cap plunging nearly $600 billion in January, and the unpredictability of governmental intervention, including tariffs and export controls, which continue to weigh on the company's stock price. And with tech companies like Amazon (AMZN), Google (GOOG, GOOGL), Meta (META), and Microsoft (MSFT) set to spend billions on AI infrastructure in the years ahead, Nvidia's research efforts become all the more important as it works to ensure its share of that bounty. It just needs to keep failing quickly and moving forward. Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@ Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.
