September 2, 2025 · 24-Hour AI Briefing: Alibaba’s Chip Rumors, Tesla’s Robot Vision, Jensen Huang to Attend APEC
In the last 24 hours, AI developments have continued to accelerate. From domestic chip strategies to global geopolitics and robotics masterplans, the following are the top 3 events shaping the future of AI today.
1. Alibaba Denies Rumors of 150,000 Domestic GPU Orders; New In-House AI Chip in Testing
Rumors surfaced that Alibaba Cloud’s Tongyi Qianwen model is facing a compute shortage, prompting an urgent order of 150,000 Cambricon Siyuan 370 chips. Alibaba responded, saying:
"We do support a multi-chip strategy and domestic supply chains, but the specific purchase figure is inaccurate."
Another rumor claimed that Alibaba’s in-house AI chip is 100% domestically produced, already in testing, and intended for broader AI inference tasks. The chip is reportedly no longer manufactured by TSMC, but by a Chinese foundry. Alibaba declined to comment, citing the chip’s confidential development status.
Commentary:
Rumors about Alibaba’s chips are swirling, and the reported compute shortage is not unique—virtually all major AI model developers face similar pressure as model sizes and user volumes grow exponentially.
The supposed pivot to domestic chip suppliers and foundries aligns perfectly with China’s geopolitical and industrial policy environment. Alibaba’s mention of “multi-chip cloud architecture supporting domestic supply chains” strongly suggests strategic alignment with national goals.
While Alibaba denies specifics, their mention of secrecy hints that something significant may indeed be in the works. If successful, an in-house AI chip would mark a major leap for both Alibaba and China's chip ecosystem.
2. Jensen Huang to Headline AI Track at October APEC Summit
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is confirmed to attend the October APEC summit, where he will lead a session on how artificial intelligence can drive global economic development.
Commentary:
APEC is one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most important economic forums. Placing AI as a central discussion topic highlights its rising strategic importance.
Huang’s presence signals deepening U.S.-Korea cooperation on semiconductors and AI. South Korea, home to Samsung and SK Hynix, is a crucial semiconductor hub—and NVIDIA’s ties to these players are vital for its global supply and partnership strategy.
This summit also underscores NVIDIA’s growing role as a geopolitical player, not just a technology vendor.
3. Tesla Unveils Master Plan Part IV: All-in on AI and Robotics
Tesla officially released Master Plan Part IV on the X platform, marking a dramatic strategic shift from electric vehicles and energy to a bold new focus on AI and robotics.
The plan outlines five core principles, including “growth is infinite” and “innovation removes limitations,” and builds on Tesla’s two-decade foundation in EVs, energy products, and humanoid robots.
Key pillars include full self-driving products (Robotaxi, Robovan) and the Optimus humanoid robot—aiming to integrate AI into the physical world at scale and usher in an era of sustainable abundance.
Commentary:
Master Plan IV clearly positions Tesla not just as an automaker but as an AI-first tech company. With self-driving and robotics at the core, Tesla is betting big on transforming both transportation and labor.
While ambitious, challenges remain: FSD is still in beta, regulatory hurdles persist, and real-world edge case handling is unresolved.
Tesla’s vision of replacing repetitive human labor with AI-powered robots is compelling—but execution will require breakthroughs across hardware, software, safety, and public acceptance.
Final Note:
From domestic compute strategies to global AI diplomacy and robot-powered economies, September is off to a fast and fascinating start.
AI is no longer just a technical field—it’s becoming the foundation of national strategy, corporate identity, and economic transformation.
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