Overview
- This week Reuters, 36Kr and other outlets reported that DeepSeek has quietly been developing an inference‑focused AI chip for about a year and is hiring chip designers in low‑profile searches.
- The Information reported Z.ai is evaluating a similar custom‑chip path, signaling a broader trend of model companies exploring hardware to reduce reliance on third‑party GPUs.
- CNBC and SemiAnalysis warned that NVIDIA’s Kyber rack system may slip to 2028 because complex multi‑layer PCB midplane manufacturing is slowing system rollouts and raising engineering risk.
- Market moves reflected these technical worries: Samsung’s strong Q2 guidance triggered investor reassessment of AI capital spending, and semiconductor stocks swung sharply as traders weighed sustainability of AI demand.
- Enterprises are already shifting inference traffic toward lower‑cost Chinese models, OpenRouter data shows, and the fast calendar of product launches and WAIC in Shanghai will likely clarify which hardware and commercial approaches win out.