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Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies is gearing up to test its most advanced artificial intelligence chip to date—the Ascend 910D—as it attempts to compete directly with US chipmaker Nvidia, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
The Ascend 910D, still in its development phase, is expected to undergo rigorous technical evaluations before becoming available for broader commercial use. Huawei has reportedly reached out to multiple Chinese technology firms to assist in testing the chip’s performance capabilities.
A Direct Competitor to Nvidia’s H100
Huawei’s Ascend 910D is part of the company’s broader Ascend series, which includes previous iterations like the 910B and 910C. The goal of this newest model is clear: to outperform Nvidia’s powerful H100 AI chip, widely regarded as the industry leader in training large-scale AI models.
The first sample units of the Ascend 910D are expected by the end of May, and mass production could follow if testing proves successful.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Huawei is also planning to begin mass shipments of the Ascend 910C chip to Chinese customers as early as next month—marking another major step in its effort to establish a domestically produced AI chip ecosystem.
Battling US Sanctions and Market Constraints
For years, Chinese companies have struggled to keep pace with Nvidia’s dominance in the AI hardware sector. This challenge has been compounded by the US government’s export restrictions, which in 2022 banned the sale of Nvidia’s H100 chips to Chinese customers and more recently blocked exports of its B200 chip, citing concerns over potential military applications.
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These restrictions are part of broader efforts by the US to curb China’s advancement in strategic technologies, particularly those with artificial intelligence and national security implications.
A Symbol of China’s Tech Resilience
Despite the obstacles, Huawei has become a symbol of China’s technological resilience. In 2023, the company surprised global markets with the launch of its Mate 60 smartphone, which featured a domestically produced chip manufactured under heavy US trade sanctions.
The development of the Ascend 910D signals Huawei’s ambition to push forward in another critical area: AI computing power—a domain that underpins technologies like natural language processing, autonomous driving, and military surveillance systems.
Strategic Push for Semiconductor Independence
Huawei’s advancements are aligned with Beijing’s broader mission to reduce dependence on foreign semiconductor technologies. The push for tech sovereignty has accelerated in the face of rising geopolitical tensions, particularly between the US and China.
By developing high-end AI chips like the Ascend 910D, Huawei positions itself not only as a major player in China’s domestic tech sector but also as a symbolic challenger to US tech supremacy.
No Comments from Huawei or Nvidia
Both Huawei and Nvidia declined to comment on the recent reports. However, the move signals a critical moment in the global chip race, with implications far beyond commercial competition—touching on national security, economic strategy, and technological sovereignty.
