Huawei Unveils Bold AI Chip Plans, Challenges Nvidia as China Seeks Tech Independence

Huawei has finally lifted the lid on its long-term chip ambitions, revealing plans to launch some of the world’s most powerful computing systems. The announcement, made at the annual Huawei Connect conference in Shanghai, signals China’s determination to cut reliance on foreign semiconductor giants like Nvidia.

Eric Xu, Huawei’s rotating chairman, disclosed that the company will now operate on a one-year release cycle for its artificial intelligence (AI) chips, doubling computing power with each new generation. “We will follow a one-year release cycle and double compute with each release,” Xu confidently declared to a packed audience.

This marks the first time Huawei has provided such a detailed roadmap for its Ascend AI chips and Kunpeng server chips, breaking years of secrecy since its U.S. sanctions in 2019. Those sanctions, which accused Huawei of posing national security risks, forced the company to turn inward and focus on building its own chip technology a move that has now positioned it as a leader in China’s semiconductor push.

Huawei’s new chip timeline shows the Ascend 950 will debut next year in two variants, followed by the 960 in 2027 and the 970 in 2028. The company also plans to roll out cutting-edge “supernodes” — powerful rack systems that connect thousands of AI chips for high-speed computing.

The upcoming Atlas 950 supernode, expected in late 2026, will support a massive 8,192 Ascend chips. Its successor, the Atlas 960, launching in late 2027, will nearly double that with 15,488 chips. Xu said the systems will “far exceed competitors across all major metrics,” underscoring Huawei’s growing confidence in its tech capabilities.

New versions of the Kunpeng server chip are also scheduled for 2026 and 2028, adding to the momentum.

The announcement comes at a tense moment in U.S.-China tech relations. Chinese regulators recently accused Nvidia of violating anti-monopoly laws and reportedly ordered top tech firms to halt purchases of its AI chips, cancelling pending orders.

Washington, on its part, has imposed strict export controls limiting China’s access to advanced U.S. chip technology. While Nvidia is still allowed to sell downgraded versions of its AI chips to Chinese companies, the restrictions have heightened Beijing’s resolve to accelerate domestic innovation.

Analysts say Huawei’s show of strength is no coincidence. “This is Huawei signaling that China’s advanced chip capacity is catching up and U.S. export controls are no longer as threatening,” said Tilly Zhang of Gavekal Dragonomics.

Chinese semiconductor stocks surged 3.4% following the announcement, reflecting investor optimism that the country is closing the gap with Western rivals.

While Huawei and other Chinese players are making big strides, insiders admit Nvidia’s chips still deliver superior performance. But Huawei’s aggressive roadmap suggests China is serious about narrowing that gap — and possibly overtaking Western competition in the coming years.

The timing of Huawei’s revelation — just a day before a scheduled meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping — also raises eyebrows. Analysts believe it was carefully choreographed to boost China’s confidence on the global stage.

For now, one thing is clear: the battle for AI dominance is heating up, and Huawei just signaled it’s ready to fight on every front.