Huawei AI Chips Enhance Surgical Technology in China
The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) in Hong Kong is at the forefront of surgical innovation by utilizing Huawei’s advanced AI chips to assist in surgical procedures.
Published: Nov 23, 2024
Image of Huawei AI chips that are transforming medical technology in surgeries.
The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, established under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2019, recently unveiled its latest AI model, Cares Copilot 2.0. This innovative model assists surgeons in various tasks including surgical planning and generating diagnostic reports.
Utilizing Huawei’s Ascend 910B AI chip, Cares Copilot 2.0 offers functionalities on par with offerings from leading chip manufacturers. According to CAIR Executive Director Liu Hongbin, Huawei’s chips adequately fulfill the lab’s research requirements, allowing for rapid advancements in medical AI technology.
Advancements in AI Chip Technology
In August 2023, CAIR and Huawei signed a memorandum to deepen their collaboration on AI applications in surgery. As access to top-tier US chips remains restricted, Huawei’s chips have stepped in to fill the gap, with significant improvements noted in their processing capabilities.
Liu highlighted that tasks which previously took weeks can now be executed within days, thanks to the efficiency of Huawei’s AI chip technology. Cares Copilot 2.0 has been adopted in several hospitals across China, further driving the integration of AI in healthcare.
Huawei’s evolution in the AI chip market follows US restrictions on their competitor Nvidia, granting Huawei a significant advantage. As the firm prepares for mass production of its next-generation chip, the Ascend 910C, it aims to solidify its position in the AI landscape.
US Restrictions Propel AI Developments
Despite obstacles in chip production, Huawei is poised to launch its Ascend 910C chip, designed to advance the company’s contributions to AI tech in China. Current production yields remain a challenge but efforts are being made to fulfill domestic and international order demands.
The move also positions Huawei in a critical role amid the global semiconductor race, as the company strives for technological self-reliance in the face of geopolitical tensions with the United States.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bojan Stojkovski is a journalist and technology expert based in Skopje, North Macedonia.
