China’s Zhipu Introduces Latest AI Model Powered by Huawei Chips

Chinese AI Startup Achieves Breakthrough with Domestically Trained Multimodal Model

Knowledge Atlas Technology JSC Ltd., also known as Zhipu, has announced the launch of a new multimodal AI model that it claims is the first in China to be entirely trained using locally produced chips. This development marks a significant step forward in China's ongoing efforts to lessen its dependence on American technology.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, Zhipu's open-source image generation model, GLM-Image, is the first advanced multimodal system to be trained on Huawei Technologies' Ascend chips. This achievement highlights the growing capabilities of China's domestic semiconductor industry.

Key Highlights from Bloomberg

The company revealed that the model was developed using Huawei's Ascend Atlas 800T A2 server and the MindSpore framework. This server is equipped with Huawei's Kunpeng processors and Ascend AI chips, providing a fully domestic computing environment for training advanced AI systems.

“This demonstrates that it is possible to train high-performance, multimodal generative models on a computing platform developed entirely in China,” Zhipu stated.

This accomplishment is a notable achievement for Huawei, as no other leading Chinese AI company has publicly reported similar results using only domestic chips. In May of the previous year, Huawei announced it had trained its Pangu Pro MoE model on Ascend chips.

Since being added to a US trade blacklist last year, Zhipu, based in Beijing, has intensified its collaboration with local chip manufacturers such as Cambricon Technologies Corp., aiming to adapt and enhance its AI models for domestic hardware.

This initiative is in line with China's broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign technology, especially as the US and its allies continue to restrict China's access to cutting-edge Western semiconductors. On the same day Zhipu highlighted its partnership with Huawei, the US government moved closer to permitting Nvidia to sell its H200 AI chips to China by updating its export approval criteria.

Last Thursday, Zhipu became the first major Chinese AI startup to go public. Since its debut, the company's stock has soared over 80%, reflecting strong investor confidence in the country's AI sector.

Further Reading: China’s Zhipu Says AI Price War Will Spread Internationally

China's government has increased its backing for the research, production, and use of homegrown AI chips, particularly in response to US-imposed restrictions on advanced semiconductor sales, such as those from Nvidia.

Industry Developments

Huawei, recognized as China's leading AI chip producer, is preparing to significantly boost output of its most advanced semiconductors this year. Meanwhile, Cambricon is planning to more than triple its AI chip production by 2026.

Reporting assistance by Jessica Sui.