Huawei is bridging chip gap with science and patience, says CEO

Despite the unfair U.S. export controls, Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei has openly acknowledged that the company's advanced chips currently lag "one generation behind" their U.S. counterparts. However, in a recent interview, Ren revealed how the tech giant is deploying innovative workarounds and an unparalleled commitment to fundamental research to overcome these hurdles.

Ren's comments, published by People's Daily on Tuesday, came as U.S. and Chinese officials engage in trade talks where tech restrictions are a key agenda item. He asserted that there's "no need to worry about the chip problem," signaling confidence in Huawei's long-term strategy.

"Our single chip is still behind the U.S. by a generation," Ren said directly. To bridge this gap, Huawei is leveraging advanced mathematical principles to "supplement physics," employing "non-Moore's Law approaches to supplement Moore's Law" and, crucially, utilizing cluster computing to enhance the performance of individual chips. This involves linking multiple chips, as exemplified by Huawei's recently launched AI CloudMatrix 384 system, which integrates 384 Ascend 910C chips and has been noted by reports for its ability to compete with, and in some metrics, outperform, rival systems like Nvidia's.

Underpinning these technological advancements is Huawei's deep and patient investment in basic theoretical research. Ren disclosed that roughly one-third of Huawei's colossal 180-billion-yuan ($25 billion) annual R&D budget is dedicated to foundational theoretical work, which is not subject to immediate performance evaluation. This long-term commitment reflects his belief that "without theory, there will be no breakthroughs, and we will not catch up with the U.S."

This strategic patience is a core tenet of Ren's leadership philosophy. Unconcerned with external praise or criticism, he champions a relentless focus on "doing our job well" and moving forward "step by step." He views investment in basic research as akin to cultivating deep roots, essential for the nation's long-term technological flourishing.

(With input from agencies)