China is developing AI without US chips: Here’s how

China is pushing ahead with the development of homegrown artificial intelligence (AI) despite sanctions by the United States that limit its access to the latest chip technology.

China is developing AI without US chips: Here’s how

Chinese companies are exploring methods to develop AI using weaker semiconductors and a combination of chips, bypassing their reliance on a single type of hardware.


While analysts and researchers believe it will be challenging for Chinese tech firms to create alternatives to the most advanced chips on the market, some experiments have shown promise.


The US sanctions against China have prevented Chinese companies from accessing the latest chips, such as Nvidia’s A100 and H100, which are the most popular options in AI development. As a result, Chinese firms currently only have access to smaller scale AI models using Nvidia’s A800 and H800 chips.


Despite these limitations, Chinese tech giant Alibaba plans to roll out a ChatGPT competitor in the “near future” called Tongyi Qianwen, which will be integrated into its suite of applications, including its workplace messenger DingTalk.


Chinese companies are not allowing U.S. sanctions to limit their access to the latest chip technology for developing AI. According to The Wall Street Journal, Chinese firms are exploring ways to create AI using weaker semiconductors and various combinations of chips. While it may be difficult to develop alternatives to the most advanced chips on the market, some experiments have shown promise.


The U.S. sanctions against China have prevented Chinese companies from accessing the latest chips, such as Nvidia's A100 and H100, which are popular options for AI development. As a result, Chinese companies currently only have access to smaller scale AI models using Nvidia's A800 and H800 chips.


Despite these limitations, Chinese tech giant Alibaba has announced its intention to launch a ChatGPT competitor called Tongyi Qianwen in the near future, which will be integrated into its suite of applications, including DingTalk. Microsoft has also released new AI-powered features for its chatbot and web browser Edge that rival ChatGPT, while Google's AI division DeepMind is undergoing restructuring to deliver the latest AI breakthroughs.


Chinese authorities have also announced that all generative AI services released within the country will undergo a mandatory review before they can operate publicly.