Chinese automaker Dongfeng has partnered with autonomous driving firm Jiushi to create a 'HI Mode' collaboration for commercial autonomous vehicles. The branding echoes Huawei's 'Huawei Inside' (HI) model, signaling a deep technology integration rather than a standard supplier relationship. The move targets the growing commercial AV segment — including logistics, freight, and industrial transport — where automation economics are often more compelling than in passenger vehicles.
China is reportedly preparing to spend about RMB 2 trillion on a nationwide AI compute network. The plan would require 80% domestic sourcing for AI chips and software, aiming to accelerate technological self-reliance and reduce dependence on U.S. suppliers. If implemented, the policy could largely sideline NVIDIA from core deployments and reshape global AI hardware supply chains, including pressure on Taiwanese suppliers.
A German independent study has reportedly completed the first full third-party evaluation of China’s Hina sodium-ion battery. The test found strong cell uniformity and multiple performance metrics comparable to advanced lithium batteries, with the report benchmarking it against Tesla-level lithium performance. The key takeaway is external verification: the findings provide checkable data for assessing China’s sodium-ion battery progress.
In this edition of Import AI 446, author Jack Clark explores three highly forward-looking and interconnected topics in current AI development: Nuclear LLMs…