Nvidia Chip Exports to China, Microsoft’s $17.5B AI Investment in India, and SpaceX's $800B Valuation - Silicon Brief #48
December 15, 2025 -
Silicon Brief
Hi there,
In this edition of Silicon Brief, we're diving into the dynamic world of AI chips and data centers. The Department of Commerce is considering a significant move by potentially allowing Nvidia to export its H200 chips to China, despite ongoing national security debates. Meanwhile, the US power grid is feeling the pressure as Microsoft and OpenAI expand their AI data centers, highlighting the growing demand for AI capabilities.
On the international front, VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan is enhancing Kazakhstan's digital landscape with a new Hyper Cloud data center, while Microsoft is making substantial investments in India and Canada to bolster AI and cloud services. In the realm of space, SpaceX and Blue Origin are racing to establish AI data centers in orbit, aiming to overcome the limitations of earth-based facilities. These stories and more reflect the rapid advancements and challenges in the AI and data center sectors.
In this edition of Silicon Brief, we're diving into the dynamic world of AI chips and data centers. The Department of Commerce is considering a significant move by potentially allowing Nvidia to export its H200 chips to China, despite ongoing national security debates. Meanwhile, the US power grid is feeling the pressure as Microsoft and OpenAI expand their AI data centers, highlighting the growing demand for AI capabilities.
On the international front, VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan is enhancing Kazakhstan's digital landscape with a new Hyper Cloud data center, while Microsoft is making substantial investments in India and Canada to bolster AI and cloud services. In the realm of space, SpaceX and Blue Origin are racing to establish AI data centers in orbit, aiming to overcome the limitations of earth-based facilities. These stories and more reflect the rapid advancements and challenges in the AI and data center sectors.
Commerce Department May Approve Nvidia Chip Exports to China
The Department of Commerce is considering allowing Nvidia to export its H200 chips to China, despite national security concerns from Congress. The decision is reportedly pending approval from President Donald Trump. Read more
AI Data Centers in US Face Power Supply Issues
Major tech companies like Microsoft and OpenAI are expanding AI data centers in the US, but are encountering power supply challenges. The increased demand for AI is putting a strain on the US power grid, with warnings of potential outages. Read more
VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan Constructs Hyper Cloud Data Center
VEON has announced that its subsidiary, Beeline Kazakhstan, has commenced the construction of a Hyper Cloud data center in Almaty. The facility will support digital growth with cloud services for AI and telecom solutions, ensuring data sovereignty within Kazakhstan. Read more
Palm Beach County Approves AI Data Center Despite Opposition
Palm Beach County officials have approved the Project Tango AI data center, covering 202.67 acres near Wellington, despite local concerns about noise, water usage, and traffic. Read more
Microsoft to Invest $17.5 Billion in AI in India
Microsoft has announced a $17.5 billion investment in India to enhance AI and cloud services infrastructure by 2029. This initiative includes new data centers and skilling programs, aiming to boost India's digital infrastructure and AI adoption. Read more
Microsoft to Invest $7.5 Billion in Canadian Data Centers
Microsoft is set to invest $7.5 billion in expanding its data centers in Canada over the next two years, aiming to enhance digital sovereignty and protect Canadian data from foreign government access. Read more
NextEra and Google Cloud Partner for AI in Energy
NextEra Energy and Google Cloud have announced a strategic partnership to develop data center campuses in the U.S., aiming to enhance AI solutions and modernize the energy sector. Read more
Schneider Electric and Switch Forge Partner for $1.9 Billion
The partnership between Schneider Electric and Switch Forge aims to invest $1.9 billion in enhancing infrastructure for AI data centers, focusing on efficiency and sustainability. Read more
Ricursive Intelligence Opens AI Lab with $35M Funding
Ricursive Intelligence has opened a new AI lab in Palo Alto, California, backed by $35 million in seed funding from Sequoia Capital. The lab aims to innovate semiconductor design by integrating AI models with chip design. Read more
Nvidia Tests Tracking Software for AI Chips
Nvidia is testing software to track its AI chips' locations amid rumors of smuggling into China. The software will initially be available for Blackwell chips and aims to verify location based on computing performance. Read more
Boom Supersonic Secures $300M for AI Data Center Turbines
Boom Supersonic has announced a $300 million funding round to support its Superpower natural gas turbines, aimed at powering AI data centers. The company has a significant backlog and has named Crusoe as its launch customer. Read more
SpaceX and Blue Origin Race for AI Data Centers in Space
SpaceX and Blue Origin are competing to create AI data centers in orbit, aiming to leverage space resources for AI computing needs. Both companies are addressing the limitations of Earth-based data centers with this initiative. Read more
Broadcom Announces $21 Billion TPU Order from Anthropic
During its Q4 2025 earnings call, Broadcom confirmed a $21 billion order for Google's Tensor Processing Units from Anthropic, highlighting a significant expansion in AI infrastructure. Read more
Aetherflux Plans 2027 Launch for Orbital AI Data Center
Aetherflux, a California-based startup, aims to launch its first solar-powered AI data center in low Earth orbit by Q1 2027, following a $50 million funding round. Read more
Taiwan Opens National Grid Cloud Center with Nvidia Supercomputer
Taiwan has launched the National Grid Cloud Computing Center in Tainan, featuring the Nano 4 AI supercomputer with 1,760 Nvidia H200 GPUs, to boost AI innovation and computing capabilities. Read more
Intel in Talks to Acquire SambaNova for $1.6 Billion
Intel is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire AI chip startup SambaNova Systems for around $1.6 billion, including debt. The acquisition could be finalized soon, with SambaNova aiming to compete with Nvidia. Read more
Nvidia Allowed to Sell H200 AI Chips to China
President Donald Trump has approved Nvidia to sell its H200 AI chips to certain customers in China, despite national security concerns. The decision is part of efforts to support American jobs and manufacturing. Read more
CoreWeave CEO Discusses Stock Volatility and AI Deals
CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator addresses stock volatility and the company's AI business model at the Fortune Brainstorm AI summit, highlighting challenges and ongoing expansions. Read more
yieldWerx and iTest Partner for AI-Driven Semiconductor Testing
On November 14, 2025, yieldWerx and iTest announced a strategic partnership to integrate their technologies, aiming to enhance real-time insights and decision-making in semiconductor testing. Read more
Starcloud Trains AI Model in Space with Nvidia Tech
Starcloud has trained an AI model in space using an Nvidia H100 GPU on its Starcloud-1 satellite. This marks a step forward in developing orbital data centers to address Earth's digital infrastructure challenges. Read more
SoftBank Considers $50 Billion Acquisition of Switch
SoftBank Group Corp. is considering a $50 billion acquisition of data center operator Switch Inc. to boost its AI infrastructure capabilities. The move is part of SoftBank's strategy to meet the increasing demand for AI infrastructure. Read more
Oracle Delays OpenAI Data Centers to 2028
Oracle has postponed the completion of data centers for OpenAI from 2027 to 2028 due to labor and material shortages. The company is under a $300 billion contract to support OpenAI's AI models. Read more
Brookfield and Qatar Investment Authority Partner for AI Infrastructure
Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. and Qatar Investment Authority have announced a $20 billion venture to invest in artificial intelligence infrastructure in Qatar and select international markets. Read more
Environmental Groups Call for Data Center Moratorium
Over 230 environmental and public-interest groups have urged the U.S. Congress to halt new data center approvals, citing concerns over AI-driven energy and water resource strain. Read more
SpaceX Valued at $800 Billion with AI and IPO Plans
SpaceX has reached a valuation of $800 billion after a secondary share sale, with plans for AI data centers in space and a potential IPO in 2026. Read more
Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon and Autonomy Platform
Rivian announced advancements in automotive technology at its Autonomy & AI Day, introducing the Rivian Autonomy Processor and third-generation Autonomy Compute Module to enhance vehicle autonomy. Read more
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