Huawei has announced that it will no longer provide high-performance memory for its AI chips, instead advising customers to source this critical component independently. This shift is pushing customers towards the black market, where prices for smuggled HBM3E memory have skyrocketed to approximately $4,000 per unit.
Smugglers are taking advantage of a loophole in U.S. export regulations, which allows them to bundle high-bandwidth memory (HBM) with low-end processors. These products are shipped through Hong Kong, where the chips are separated and sold individually, circumventing legal restrictions.
This development raises concerns about the implications for both supply chain integrity and product quality, as customers may struggle to find reliable sources for essential components. The move also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by companies in navigating international trade regulations in the technology sector.
Compiled automatically by the Tech AI Newsdesk from public AI-news sources and summarised in our own words.