Detained by a Government & Probably Blacklisted by NVIDIA for Our Next Investigation

Summary

This investigative video reveals the thriving black market for Nvidia GPUs in China, where banned AI and gaming cards are smuggled and resold. The team spends weeks interviewing smugglers, middlemen, and users, uncovering the complexities of a market that defies US export controls. With exclusive footage and firsthand accounts, the documentary exposes the lucrative trade behind AI-driven GPUs. To finalize the project, the team is seeking support via crowdfunding, offering exclusive rewards like limited-edition t-shirts, behind-the-scenes content, and credits in the film. This is a groundbreaking, high-stakes story that needs your help to reach the finish line.

Takeaways

• 😀 Investigating the Nvidia GPU black market in China has been a three-week journey, revealing a massive underground network around banned GPUs.
• 😀 The story features direct interviews with smugglers, middlemen, and users of banned GPUs, many of whom were willing to go on record for the first time.
• 😀 US authorities have recently arrested two Chinese nationals for smuggling banned GPUs into China, highlighting the scale of the black market.
• 😀 Nvidia's awareness of the black market and export control violations is questioned by sources, with some suggesting the company turns a blind eye.
• 😀 The investigation included traveling over 3,700 km in China and 1 week in Taiwan, delving deep into the GPU supply chain and smuggling routes.
• 😀 GPUs that are banned for export to China are in high demand, particularly for AI-related tasks, like running language models and data centers.
• 😀 Smugglers and dealers have found ways to easily source high-end GPUs, including extracting and reworking defective cards to create custom, high-VRAM models.
• 😀 The investigation revealed how some GPUs, despite being banned by the US government, are still readily available in retail stores in China.
• 😀 The team is funding the investigation through a Kickstarter-like campaign, offering exclusive rewards like behind-the-scenes videos, exclusive Q&As, and limited-edition merchandise.
• 😀 Nvidia has been sensitive to the topic of smuggling, with prior incidents where the company denied any connection to the black market, especially around rumors like GPUs being smuggled with lobsters.
• 😀 The team has spent months conducting research, and the final video aims to provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at this new kind of black market for high-value video cards.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the investigation covered in the video?

The investigation focuses on the black market of Nvidia GPUs in China, specifically exploring how banned GPUs are smuggled into China despite export controls from the U.S.

What role does Nvidia play in the black market for GPUs?

Nvidia is questioned about its awareness of the black market, with some middlemen claiming that Nvidia turns a blind eye to the smuggling of GPUs. The video aims to explore whether Nvidia is actively trying to stop this illegal trade.

How did the team gather information for this investigation?

The team spent over two weeks traveling across China and Taiwan, interviewing smugglers, middlemen, and users of banned Nvidia GPUs. They also spoke with experts, including those in Hong Kong and Taiwan, to gain insight into the black market.

What surprising detail was discovered about the availability of banned GPUs in China?

It was discovered that despite the U.S. government banning the sale of high-end Nvidia GPUs to China, these banned GPUs are still easily available for purchase in retail stores in China, often through smuggling networks.

What is the significance of the term 'Turn a Blind Eye' in the investigation?

'Turn a Blind Eye' refers to a Chinese idiom used by multiple sources within the black market, suggesting that Nvidia may be aware of the smuggling and is not actively preventing it.

How are the smuggled GPUs modified to meet demand?

Some of the smuggled GPUs are modified by taking defective Nvidia PCBs (printed circuit boards), extracting the GPUs, and adding new memory modules to create high VRAM capacity GPUs like the 4090s and potentially the 5090s, which are in high demand for AI servers.

What is the significance of the $3,289 transaction in the video?

The $3,289 transaction was made to purchase a smuggled GPU in order to understand firsthand how these illegal transactions are carried out. This was part of the team's effort to document the black market process.

How did the team handle the challenges of shooting in a foreign environment?

The team faced challenges, especially with Tannon, who had no previous camera experience. Extensive training was provided by the team to get him ready for the field, and he successfully handled the camera and audio work during the investigation.

Why is the story about GPUs and the black market important beyond gaming?

This story is significant because it highlights how GPUs, originally designed for gaming, have become highly valuable for AI and data center applications. The black market's involvement underscores the growing importance and scarcity of these high-end computing resources.

What kind of support does the team need to complete the project?

The team is seeking financial support through a Kickstarter-like platform to cover the production budget, which includes research, travel, staff, and production costs. The goal is to ensure the highest quality for the full-length movie by focusing all resources on this investigation.