Chinese AI Founder Speaks at Nvidia Conference, Highlighting US-China Tech Interdependence

Yang Zhilin, founder of Beijing-based AI company Moonshot AI, delivered a presentation at Nvidia's GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, California last month. Moonshot AI develops the Kimi family of foundational artificial intelligence models. The appearance of a Chinese AI startup leader at the flagship event of American semiconductor giant Nvidia occurred amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two nations. Yang, a Carnegie Mellon University doctoral graduate originally from Guangdong province, gave a similar talk shortly afterward at China's state-supported Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, where senior Chinese officials were present. According to Kyle Chan of the Brookings Institution, this demonstrates emerging convergence between American and Chinese artificial intelligence ecosystems despite political pressures. Chan noted that multiple conflicting interests influence this relationship, with even U.S. companies holding divergent views regarding Chinese AI development. Nvidia plays a central role in this convergence as the primary designer of advanced semiconductor chips that power global AI systems. The company recently projected revenue exceeding $1 trillion through 2027, fueled by demand for its Blackwell and Rubin chip architectures.