Huawei Technologies is gearing up to ship its new Ascend 910C artificial intelligence (AI) chip in large volumes starting next month, industry sources confirm.
This launch comes as Chinese tech firms hunt for homegrown alternatives to Nvidia’s H20 chip, now tangled in U.S. export restrictions.
With the Ascend 910C, Huawei is stepping into the spotlight, aiming to bolster China’s drive for tech independence at a time when access to foreign chips is increasingly limited.
The U.S. has tightened the screws on China’s access to advanced technology, citing concerns over national security.
Nvidia’s H100 chip was blocked from the Chinese market in 2022 before it even hit shelves, and just this month, the Trump administration slapped an export license requirement on Nvidia’s H20 chip, a go-to for Chinese AI developers.
These curbs have left a gap that Huawei and other local players, like Moore Threads and Iluvatar CoreX, are racing to fill.
Paul Triolo, a tech expert at Albright Stonebridge Group, predicts Huawei’s 910C could become the “go-to hardware” for Chinese companies building AI models and rolling out inference systems.
Huawei laid the groundwork for this moment late last year, sending 910C samples to Chinese tech firms and taking early orders.
Some deliveries have already trickled out, indicating the company is ready to scale up. This push aligns with Beijing’s call for businesses to lean on domestic chips, a trend highlighted in a Reuters report on China’s shifting tech priorities.
Inside the Ascend 910C
The Ascend 910C isn’t a radical leap but a clever evolution. Sources say it combines two 910B processors into one package, using advanced integration to rival the performance of Nvidia’s H100.
While it may not outshine Nvidia’s newer B200, the 910C is built to serve Chinese developers locked out of foreign options.
Its production involves a tangled supply chain: China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) crafts some parts using its N+2 7nm process, though low yields are a hurdle.
Meanwhile, certain 910C chips include components from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) via China-based Sophgo, raising eyebrows in Washington.
As detailed in Reuters’ coverage, the U.S. Commerce Department is probing TSMC’s role after spotting a TSMC-made chip in a 910B processor. Huawei has pushed back, insisting it adheres to regulations and doesn’t use TSMC-made Sophgo chips.
Shaking Up the Market
Huawei’s move could redraw the lines in China’s AI chip market, long ruled by Nvidia. Analysts at Citigroup project Nvidia’s grip could slip from 80% in 2024 to 50% next year, per a Reuters Breakingviews piece.
The 910C’s affordability and availability give it an edge for Chinese firms under pressure to go local. Nvidia’s H20, by contrast, has seen lukewarm interest, with only five state-linked buyers showing up in the past six months compared to over a dozen for Huawei’s 910B, according to procurement records.
The stakes are high in the U.S.-China tech standoff. Beyond Nvidia, U.S. restrictions have hit firms like ASML, which can’t ship advanced chip-making machines to China.
Yet Huawei and SMIC have defied the odds before—SMIC’s 7nm chip powered Huawei’s Mate 60 Pro in 2023, a feat that stunned observers. Huawei’s knack for sidestepping sanctions highlights its growing clout.
What’s Next?
As the 910C hits the market, it’s set to fuel China’s AI ambitions, from training complex models to powering real-time applications.
Questions linger about whether Huawei can crank out chips at scale or keep pace with global rivals long-term, but its track record suggests it’s no underdog.
The Mate 60 Pro’s success showed Huawei could deliver under pressure, and the 910C aims to follow suit.
For Chinese tech firms, the 910C is a lifeline in a world of tightening U.S. controls. For Huawei, it’s a chance to chip away at Nvidia’s dominance and cement its place at the heart of China’s tech scene.
As the global AI race heats up, all eyes are on Huawei to see if it can turn ambition into reality.
