Hua Hong Group, China’s second-largest chip manufacturer, has developed 7-nanometer chip-making technology for #Artificial Intelligence chips, Reuters reported, citing four people familiar with the matter.
Chips made at that level of precision are powerful enough to drive AI applications and support model training. Until now, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, the country’s largest foundry, was the only Chinese company capable of producing 7-nanometer chips at scale.
Hua Hong, backed by Shanghai’s municipal government, spent decades making less advanced chips for consumer electronics and cars before pivoting to cutting-edge manufacturing. Its latest breakthrough suggests Washington’s restrictions on China’s access to foreign chipmaking tools and suppliers haven’t stopped Chinese companies from making progress. Tighter U.S. export controls have pushed China to step up its domestic effort to build its own AI chips.
Hua Hong has been collaborating with Huawei Technologies to develop chipmaking technology, according to Reuters. Biren Technology, a #🇨🇳 ChinA.I. 🤖🧠🦾🤖 chip designer blacklisted by Washington, is using Hua Hong’s advanced plant to test prototypes ahead of full production, Reuters reported.