US Sanctions and Chinese Data Centers: Scrutiny on TSMC Chips Used in Huawei AI Processors
US Sanctions and Chinese Data Centers: A New Chapter
A Canadian firm's teardown report of an artificial intelligence (AI) offering by Huawei Technologies has raised fresh questions about whether the Chinese tech giant skirted US sanctions by using a chip made by the world’s most advanced fab.
Key Findings from the TechInsights Report
- TechInsights, an Ottawa-based semiconductor industry research firm, published its teardown of Huawei's popular AI processor, the Ascend 910B.
- Notably, components of the 910B, widely used in Chinese data centers, were produced by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
- TSMC stated it has not supplied chips to Huawei since September 2020, amidst ongoing scrutiny.
Huawei's Self-Sufficiency Journey
Emerging as China’s national champion in self-sufficiency, Huawei has escalated its efforts to lessen reliance on American technology since sanctions were implemented.
- HiSilicon, Huawei's chip design subsidiary, has played a crucial role in developing alternatives.
- The Ascend 910B is poised as a competitor to Nvidia's A100 chip, with adoption across various industries in China.
Implications for the Industry
Huawei claims that its Ascend solutions have powered advances in large language models within the country. Now, the company is advancing with its new 910C processor as part of its focus on strengthening its semiconductor capabilities.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.