September 17, 2025 · 24-Hour AI Briefing: Baidu Chips Rise, NVIDIA Struggles, Amazon Enters Sports Streaming, Alibaba’s New AI Processor
The AI landscape remains highly dynamic. Over the past 24 hours, Baidu’s Kunlun chip unit secured a major deal, NVIDIA’s new product faced setbacks in China, Amazon won a top sports streaming contract, and Alibaba’s in-house AI chip was revealed. Here’s a full breakdown with insights:
1. Baidu Kunlun P800 GPU Secures Major China Mobile Deal
Baidu’s independent AI chip subsidiary, Kunlun, has landed 70%–100% of the share in China Mobile’s 2025–2026 centralized procurement of AI general-purpose computing equipment (inference type) across Packages 1, 2, and 3. Following the announcement, Baidu’s Hong Kong-listed stock surged nearly 20% at peak.
Analysis: Against the backdrop of intensifying U.S.–China tech friction, Baidu’s Kunlun P800 demonstrates both technological competitiveness and market recognition within the CUDA-like ecosystem. As Baidu Cloud’s core AI chip provider, the P800 is known for its high inference performance and strong compatibility. In the wave of localization, Kunlun’s long-term growth potential deserves close attention.
2. NVIDIA RTX6000D Faces Tepid Reception in China
Reports suggest that NVIDIA’s new RTX6000D chip, tailored for the Chinese market, has met with lukewarm demand, with several major tech firms holding off on orders. Although NVIDIA regained its license to sell H20 chips to China in July, shipments have yet to resume. Built on the Blackwell architecture, the RTX6000D uses traditional GDDR memory, offering 1,398 GB/s bandwidth—just below the U.S. regulatory threshold of 1.4 TB/s.
Analysis: The RTX6000D’s awkward position reflects the broader decoupling of U.S. and Chinese tech. While showcasing NVIDIA’s rapid iteration capability, the “cut-down” design reveals limits in addressing high-performance needs. Priced at about RMB 50,000 (USD 7,000), it’s cheaper than the H20—but if inventory piles up, the financial impact could reach billions.
3. Amazon Prime Video Wins U.S. Masters Broadcast Rights
Amazon Prime Video has secured the domestic broadcasting rights to the Masters, one of golf’s four major tournaments. Starting in 2026, Prime Video will add two hours of live coverage each day during the first and second rounds, marking its debut as a U.S. broadcaster for the iconic event.
Analysis: This move strengthens Amazon’s position in sports streaming, directly challenging traditional giants NBCUniversal and Disney’s ESPN. Since Masters coverage is offered as part of Prime membership rather than a standalone subscription, it enhances loyalty among existing members. However, for viewers who only want to watch the Masters without becoming Prime subscribers, the deal may be less appealing.
4. Alibaba’s New PPU AI Chip Revealed
Alibaba’s semiconductor unit, T-Head, has unveiled its new PPU AI processor. The chip features 96GB of HBM2e memory—greater than NVIDIA’s A800 (80GB HBM2e) and on par with the H20. However, the H20 integrates newer HBM3 memory.
Analysis: The exposure of Alibaba’s PPU highlights that Chinese tech giants are now capable of competing head-to-head with global leaders in AI chip design. This breakthrough not only reduces reliance on foreign suppliers but also bolsters national autonomy and security in the AI sector.
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