Alibaba unveils new AI chip in push for domestic alternatives

Alibaba Group on Wednesday unveiled a new AI chip, the Zhenwu M890, as the Chinese technology giant intensifies efforts to build domestic alternatives to Nvidia processors amid tightening U.S. export curbs.

The chip, developed by Alibaba’s semiconductor design subsidiary T-Head, delivers three times the performance of its predecessor, Zhenwu 810E. ‌It is purpose-built ⁠for the ⁠emerging wave of AI “agents” – software systems that can carry out complex, multi-step tasks with limited human oversight.