Nvidia faces an independent board investigation into alleged espionage, with key questions emerging over whether the probe centers on stolen new chip designs or illicit sourcing of chips for China. The distinction between intellectual property theft and export control violations could carry vastly different legal and regulatory implications for the AI chip giant. The inquiry has drawn scrutiny from analysts and policymakers as Nvidia navigates heightened geopolitical tensions surrounding advanced semiconductor technology and US export restrictions targeting Chinese access to cutting-edge AI hardware.