Huawei Technologies is set to begin mass shipments of its latest AI chip, the Ascend 910C, possibly as soon as next month, according to industry sources. This move comes amid Chinese AI firms’ intensified efforts to find alternatives to Nvidia's H20 chip, which faces strict U. S. export license restrictions aimed at limiting China’s technological and military progress. The Ascend 910C is a major upgrade over Huawei's previous 910B GPU, effectively doubling computing power and memory by integrating two 910B chips through advanced techniques, making its performance comparable to Nvidia's H100 chip. This positions Huawei as a strong contender in the high-performance AI hardware market. Huawei has started distributing 910C samples and is reportedly accepting orders, although it has not disclosed exact shipment timelines or volumes, reflecting caution amid complex geopolitical and technological challenges. The chip’s production relies heavily on China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), using its advanced 7nm N+2 process despite low yields, marking significant progress for China’s domestic semiconductor industry and efforts to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. Some 910C units reportedly include chips originally produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for another Chinese AI hardware maker, Sophgo, prompting a U. S.

investigation due to the sensitivity of chip supply chains and export controls. TSMC has publicly denied supplying chips to Huawei since 2020 and emphasized strict compliance with export regulations, highlighting the complicated tensions within the global semiconductor supply chain, especially between U. S. -aligned companies and Chinese tech firms. With U. S. restrictions curbing Nvidia’s high-performance AI hardware sales to China, Huawei's Ascend 910C is expected to become a key hardware platform for China’s AI development and deployment, accelerating the country’s push toward technological self-reliance in AI and high-performance computing. The Ascend 910C’s upcoming mass production and deployment reflect broader global tech trends influenced by geopolitical factors reshaping supply chains, manufacturing, and research priorities. Huawei’s progress with the 910C underscores China’s commitment to technological sovereignty and illustrates the competitive dynamics driving the future landscape of AI hardware worldwide. As Huawei prepares widespread shipment of the 910C, industry observers will monitor its impact on China's AI ecosystem, competitors like Nvidia, and evolving semiconductor regulations. Successful adoption of the 910C may represent a pivotal advance in China’s AI ambitions, potentially altering the global tech power balance. In summary, Huawei’s imminent mass shipment of the Ascend 910C chip marks a significant milestone in China’s pursuit of independent, high-performance AI hardware amid international restrictions. It highlights the challenges and opportunities for Chinese tech firms in a shifting geopolitical environment and emphasizes the rapid innovation and competition shaping the AI industry’s future.