DOJ probes Nvidia’s $17B Groq AI licensing deal over antitrust evasion concerns

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating Nvidia's licensing deal with AI startup Groq, according to the New York Times. The deal, announced last year, involved a $17 billion non-exclusive license to Groq's chip technology. Nvidia stated the deal promotes innovation, while the DOJ could impose fines if wrongdoing is found.

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating Nvidia's agreement with AI chip startup Groq over potential antitrust concerns. The deal, announced in December, involves a nonexclusive licensing agreement and the addition of Groq executives to Nvidia. Groq continues to operate independently and plans to raise $350 million in funding, with Nvidia expected to participate. Nvidia's market value is approximately $5.4 trillion, while Groq was valued at $7 billion before the agreement.

Nvidia plans to expand data center capacity in Australia, partnering with local firms to add up to 2 GW of AI-related capacity by 2027. Current capacity is 1.6 GW, per Data Centres Australia. The move aims to meet rising AI demand and support local innovation, though environmental concerns persist.

NVIDIA is partnering with Australian data center providers to expand AI infrastructure, aiming for a 2-gigawatt capacity by 2027. The collaboration involves NVIDIA's DSX AI factories and accelerated computing. Partners include Firmus, Sharon AI, and others, supporting local AI development and global demand. According to NVIDIA, this expansion will create a new investable asset class.

NVIDIA is partnering with eight Australian firms, including Firmus, Sharon AI, and NEXTDC, to build AI factories. The company will provide hardware, software, and support, with a potential capacity of 2 gigawatts by 2027. Sharon AI plans to deploy up to 68,000 NVIDIA GPUs, aiming to boost local AI development.

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating Nvidia's deal with AI chipmaker Groq over potential antitrust violations, according to the NYT. The probe focuses on a licensing agreement that allowed Nvidia access to Groq's chips and key employees. Nvidia's market value is about $5.4 trillion, while Groq was last valued at $7 billion. The inquiry could result in fines but not necessarily unwinding the deal.