In an unexpected turn of events, Huawei Technologies, the Chinese telecommunications giant, has caught the attention of the global semiconductor industry, as well as its potential competitor Nvidia, by unveiling its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chip capabilities. This development comes as Nvidia, the market leader in AI chips, identified Huawei as a formidable rival for the first time, amidst ongoing US sanctions against the Chinese firm.
The emergence of Huawei’s Ascend 910B AI chipset as a viable alternative to Nvidia’s high-demand graphics processing units (GPUs) has sparked intense scrutiny. Industry insiders and analysts suggest that the Ascend 910B, now available through distributor channels in mainland China, could match, if not surpass, the computing power of Nvidia’s A100 data-center GPUs, which have been restricted from being shipped to China under Washington’s export controls.
Huawei has remained tight-lipped about its semiconductor capabilities, especially since being placed on a US trade blacklist in 2019. Despite these challenges, the company has been quietly bolstering its chip business by collaborating with domestic suppliers. The Ascend 910B, believed to be the successor to the Ascend 910 released in August 2019, is reportedly fabricated by China’s top foundry, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), using a 7-nanometre process.
Dylan Patel, chief analyst at San Francisco-based semiconductor research firm SemiAnalysis, commented on the Ascend 910B’s potential, noting that it theoretically exceeds the performance of Nvidia’s A100 in powering AI algorithms. This assertion underscores Huawei’s resilience and innovation in the face of stringent US sanctions that have significantly impacted its smartphone business and semiconductor development efforts.
The sanctions have not deterred Huawei from advancing its technological prowess. In August of the previous year, the company made headlines with the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, its first 5G smartphone since the Mate 40 series in October 2020. The handset’s success, powered by the SMIC-made Kirin 9000s processor, marked Huawei’s triumphant return to the top of China’s smartphone market, sparking speculation about how the company navigated the comprehensive US chip ban.
Huawei’s strategic focus on AI chip development has become increasingly evident, with recent partnerships and product launches showcasing its commitment to the sector. Notably, Chinese online search and AI giant Baidu placed an order for 1,600 Ascend 910B chips in August, coinciding with the release of the Mate 60 Pro.
Additionally, AI company iFlytek’s introduction of its Feixing One computing platform, based on Huawei’s Ascend chips, suggests that Huawei’s AI capabilities are being integrated into the development of large language models (LLMs), the technology behind generative AI services like ChatGPT.
As the global semiconductor landscape continues to evolve, Huawei’s advancements in AI chip technology signify a significant shift in the industry, challenging established players like Nvidia and demonstrating the potential for innovation despite regulatory hurdles. The company’s progress also reflects broader trends in AI and semiconductor development, with geopolitical considerations playing an increasingly prominent role in shaping the future of technology.
