• Huawei has unveiled a powerful AI supernode cluster using domestic chip technologies.
• This development supports China's quest for self-reliance in artificial intelligence.
• The company plans to release new AI chips, including the Ascend 950PR, by 2026.
• Beijing is pressing local firms to stop using Nvidia's chips due to US export restrictions.
• Nvidia's CEO expressed disappointment over Beijing's stance on chip procurement.

Huawei Technologies has introduced what it describes as the "world’s most powerful" supernode computing cluster, claiming it can deliver superior computing power without relying on Nvidia's advanced chips. This advancement signals a significant step towards enhancing China's independence in artificial intelligence (AI) and responds to escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding technology supply chains. The company's deputy chairman, Xu Zhijun, emphasized that this breakthrough employs local chipmaking processes, advancing China's self-reliance in AI computing, which is crucial for its technological aspirations, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.

At an annual technology conference in Shanghai, Huawei revealed its plans to launch upgraded Ascend AI chips, including the Ascend 950PR, scheduled for release in early 2026. This timeline aligns with forthcoming products from Nvidia and AMD, highlighting Huawei's competitive positioning in the global AI market. Xu pointed out that the systems introduced include the Atlas 950 SuperPoD and Atlas 960 SuperPoD, capable of supporting a vast number of Huawei’s in-house Ascend processors, reinforcing their claim of leading in global processor scale and memory capacity, according to AA and SCMP.

Beijing's push for tech independence is evident with calls for Chinese firms to cease purchasing Nvidia chips tailored for China in compliance with US export controls. Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, expressed disappointment with this development, highlighting the complexities of the ongoing US-China tech rivalry. He remarked, “I’m patient about it, but they have larger agendas to work out,” underlining the multifaceted nature of international technology dynamics during this period of heightened scrutiny and regulation, according to AA and Channel News Asia.

Analysts noted that Huawei's new AI chip roadmap, including the planned rollout of its Ascend series, underscores China's efforts to diminish its technological gap with the United States, with potential advancements in domestic chip manufacturing. Despite Huawei's significant strides, some experts suggest that its chips remain one to two generations behind comparably advanced solutions from foreign competitors like Nvidia, indicating a continuing reliance on innovative manufacturing techniques and developments to bolster production capacity, according to SCMP and AA.