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.
Mistral AI announced a €1.7B Series C funding round at an €11.7B post-money valuation. The round is led by semiconductor equipment maker ASML Holding NV, with participation from existing investors including NVIDIA and Andreessen Horowitz. Mistral says the funding will support frontier AI research, custom decentralized AI solutions, and work on complex engineering and industrial challenges.
At TSMC’s shareholder meeting, the company said it has purchased High-NA EUV equipment but has not yet moved it into mass production due to high costs. TSMC also raised capital expenditure to $56 billion, signaling continued heavy investment in advanced manufacturing capacity. CEO C.C. Wei also pledged more than 30% annual growth in dividends and employee bonuses, while saying the company must expand its social responsibility efforts.
South Korean chip startup Xcena raised a $135 million Series B at a $570 million valuation, bringing total funding to $185 million. The company argues AI inference is increasingly constrained by memory movement, not just GPU compute. Its prototype MX1 chip uses CXL to process data closer to DRAM, with Samsung foundry mass production planned by late 2026 and revenue targeted for 2027.