ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is reportedly planning to create a new AI model primarily using chips from Huawei Technologies, as U.S. restrictions on advanced AI chip exports prompt the company to turn to domestic suppliers. Three sources familiar with the matter disclosed that ByteDance is focusing on local chip manufacturers and accelerating its own development in response to the export curbs initiated in 2022 against industry leader Nvidia.
Artificial intelligence has emerged as a pivotal element in the technology sector, with companies across gaming, e-commerce, and more integrating custom AI models to enhance their services. According to the sources, ByteDance aims to harness Huawei’s Ascend 910B chip for training a large-language AI model, although details remain confidential.
While a fourth source confirmed ByteDance’s plans for a new AI model, it is unclear whether Huawei chips will be used in that context. Currently, ByteDance utilizes the Ascend 910B primarily for less demanding inference tasks, which involve predictions based on pre-trained models.
Training AI models is significantly more resource-intensive and requires vast amounts of data, typically necessitating high-performance chips such as Nvidia’s advanced GPUs. The upcoming model is expected to have a lower capability and complexity, based on its computing parameters, compared to ByteDance’s existing AI model, Doubao.
ByteDance has not provided comments regarding these developments. In response to inquiries, TikTok spokesman Michael Hughes stated, “The entire premise here is wrong. No new model is being developed.”
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