Huawei CEO Says Chips One Generation Behind US, Pursues Workarounds

Huawei Technologies' chip technology currently lags one generation behind that of U.S. competitors due to export restrictions imposed since 2019, but the company is actively pursuing innovative solutions to bridge this gap. CEO Ren Zhengfei revealed that Huawei is employing strategies such as cluster computing, compound chip designs, and advanced mathematics to enhance performance beyond the limitations of single-chip technology. The company invests approximately 180 billion yuan ($25 billion) annually in research and development to support these efforts. Huawei markets its Ascend series of artificial intelligence chips domestically, positioning them as competitors to U.S.-based Nvidia, though the U.S. Commerce Department recently stated that use of Ascend chips violates export controls. Ren downplays U.S. claims about Huawei's chip capabilities, stating the company must work hard to meet those expectations. Despite the technological challenges, Huawei remains determined to adapt and maintain competitiveness amid ongoing U.S.-China trade and technology tensions.