China's Baidu Unveils AI Chip Roadmap, Plans 1,024-Chip System for 2027

At a glance

Baidu, a major Chinese search company, shared its plans for in-house AI chips. It will launch a large system that links 1,024 chips into one computing unit in 2027. The company also introduced new AI models and an AI model trading platform.

Key points

1. 1

   A next-generation 'Tianchi 1024' system linking 1,024 AI chips is set for release in 2027.

2. 2

   The system is said to offer 3 times faster data transfer between chips, 2.5 times better training speed, and 3 times better inference speed.

3. 3

   The M300 chip is due next year, and a new-architecture chip series is planned for 2028.

4. 4

   A model marketplace called 'Ciyuansuo' was announced, and it reportedly handled over 50 million model calls a day within a month of launch.

Why it matters

Demand for inference chips, which run AI models to do real tasks, is growing fast, and this shows China pushing to build its own AI chips.