Huawei Responds to US Export Restrictions
Huawei Technologies is set to begin mass shipments of its next-generation 910C artificial intelligence chip to Chinese customers as soon as next month, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move comes at a crucial time for China’s AI sector, following recent US export restrictions that have limited access to critical Nvidia hardware, including the H20 AI chip. With Nvidia sales now requiring export licenses, many Chinese companies have turned to domestic alternatives to avoid disruption to their AI development efforts.
[4]
Technical Leap With the 910C AI Chip
The new 910C is a graphics processing unit (GPU) that leverages innovative chip packaging techniques. Unlike its predecessor, the 910B, the 910C combines two 910B processors into a single package using advanced integration methods. This design—while not a technological breakthrough in the underlying architecture—provides a significant performance boost. The 910C achieves computing power and memory capacity that match Nvidia's highly regarded H100 chip, addressing the industry’s demand for high-performance AI hardware.
[4]
- Double the computing power and memory capacity compared to previous Huawei chips
- Incremental improvements for handling diverse AI workload data
- Enhanced support for various AI models, enabling wider deployment across industries
Transforming China’s AI Ecosystem
The timing of the 910C’s release is fortuitous for Chinese AI companies facing supply chain uncertainty. As the US tightens controls on chips such as Nvidia’s H20, domestic alternatives like Huawei’s new processor have become essential. Shipments of the 910C are expected to accelerate the adoption of Chinese hardware across data centers, cloud service providers, and research institutions.
[4]
Industry Ramifications and International Scrutiny
Huawei’s development and upcoming mass production of the 910C highlight broader shifts within the global semiconductor industry. The US Commerce Department is currently investigating the involvement of overseas foundries in the manufacture of Chinese AI chips, after a related chip design produced by TSMC for Sophgo, a Huawei supplier, surfaced in previous models. TSMC has stated that it complies with all regulatory requirements and has halted shipments to Huawei since September 2020.
[4]
Next Steps for China's AI Hardware
As China prioritizes technological self-sufficiency, the launch of domestically developed chips like the 910C marks a pivotal milestone. More Chinese companies are expected to integrate these new processors, while the global AI landscape adapts to shifting supply chain realities sparked by geopolitical tensions and export bans.
[4]
For users interested in popular AI tools such as
Chatgpt and the latest developments in artificial intelligence, the rapid innovation in domestic hardware will influence the availability and capability of next-generation platforms across China.
