The recent news about China developing the world's fastest supercomputer will trigger the predictable debate about whether Beijing has finally overtaken the US in advanced computing. The answer, at least for now, is no. The new LineShine system that topped the latest TOP500 ranking is not the world's most powerful machine for artificial intelligence (AI) workloads and would likely be eclipsed by several AI-focused systems operated by American technology giants.
LineShine uses domestically designed Chinese chips and tops the traditional TOP500 benchmark, but it ranked only fourth on tests that better reflect AI-related computing tasks. It says more about China's determination to demonstrate technological self-sufficiency than about leadership in the AI race.
