China doubles ‘AI for science’ computing scale in 2 months using no US chips

China’s largest artificial intelligence computing cluster for scientific research entered operation on Tuesday, doubling its number of domestically made AI accelerator chips in just two months, according to state broadcaster CCTV.The number of chips in the computing node reached 60,000 units, up from 30,000 when trial operations began in early February.With the upgrade, the Zhengzhou core node had become the country’s most powerful scientific intelligent computing infrastructure, CCTV reported.CCTV said the development was “a breakthrough for China in computing infrastructure for AI-driven scientific research, which will help the country seize the commanding heights of AI industrial applications”.Chinese researchers have long faced challenges in conducting “AI for science” research, including a shortage of computing power, software limitations and reliance on foreign suppliers for important tools, according to the official Beijing Daily.