20 August 2026
Alibaba launches Chinese-made AI chip supernode for domestic use
First reported
TechRadar ran this on , a day before the next source picked it up.
- Alibaba Cloud released a supernode (linked processors acting as one large chip) using its homegrown Zhenwu M890 processor, capable of running AI models with trillions of parameters.
- The system currently operates only in China's Inner Mongolia region and does not require users to buy Nvidia or AMD chips, reducing reliance on US hardware.
- Alibaba plans upgraded versions: the Zhenwu V900 in late 2027 with triple the performance, and the Zhenwu J900 in late 2028, signaling continued domestic chip development.
- The move reflects China's shift toward self-sufficient AI infrastructure as Beijing restricts local cloud providers from accessing the latest foreign chips in response to US export controls.
How it was covered
The NeuronPete Huang & Grant Harvey
Chinese AI companies found a loophole in US export controls by accessing advanced Nvidia compute through overseas cloud services with remote access. This exposes a gap in US efforts to restrict advanced chip access.
Reported by TechRadar