Alibaba unveils new AI chip to rival Nvidia’s China offerings
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s chip arm has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) processor, positioning it between Nvidia Corp.’s A800 and H20 as the group prepares a semiconductor spinoff amid China’s AI chip boom. According to information posted on T-Head’s website on Thursday, the new chip, named Zhenwu 810E, integrates AI training and inference capabilities and is identified as the PPU model previously glimpsed in a CCTV broadcast in September 2025. In terms of hardware parameters, the processor sits between Nvidia’s A800 and H20, the two modified chips the U.S. company released to comply with export controls targeting China.
Robots take the stage at China’s Spring Festival Gala
Four Chinese robotics companies have signed deals to showcase their technology at the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, seizing the world’s most-watched television event to pitch their humanoid machines to a nationwide audience. The high-profile exposure underscores the fast-paced commercialization of China’s robotics sector. Backed by deep-pocketed investors, startups are racing to turn embodied AI from lab concepts into consumer-ready products. The companies — Noetix Robotics, Unitree Robotics, Beijing Galbot Co. Ltd. and MagicLab — offer a range of innovations from four-legged robot dogs to bipedal humanoids capable of performing sophisticated tasks. The 2025 gala garnered a record 16.8 billion views across platforms, up 18.3% from the previous year.
SK Hynix to invest $10 billion in new U.S. AI unit
South Korean memory chipmaker SK Hynix Inc. announced on Wednesday that it will establish an AI solution subsidiary in the U.S., tentatively named AI Co., to identify new growth engines. The company plans to restructure its California-based solid-state drive subsidiary, Solidigm, to form the new entity while retaining Solidigm’s business operations under a new subsidiary called Solidigm Inc. SK Hynix intends to invest $10 billion into AI Co., with funds deployed based on capital calls.
Galbot launches industrial heavy-duty robot
Galbot on Thursday released its first industrial-grade embodied intelligence heavy-duty robot, the Galbot S1. The robot features a dual-arm load capacity of 50 kilograms, IP54-rated water and dust resistance, and the ability to operate in high temperatures, making it suitable for complex industrial environments involving dust and vibration. The Galbot S1 has already been deployed on the production lines of manufacturers like battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd.
Kunshan launches $720 million AI fund
The city of Kunshan in Jiangsu province on Thursday announced the establishment of an AI industry fund, with a total target size of 5 billion yuan ($720 million) and an initial phase of 2 billion yuan. Initiated by KSCY Holding Group and co-established with institutions like Meridian Capital, the fund will focus on investments in AI hardware, computing infrastructure, large models and AI manufacturing to support the local ecosystem.
