The Zhipu or Z.ai emblem is pictured on a smartphone on Aug. 14, 2026.
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BEIJING — Chinese language synthetic intelligence firm Z.ai launched a brand new mannequin Wednesday that the corporate claims makes use of fully homegrown semiconductors to function.
Referred to as GLM-5.3-Flash, the low-cost model of Z.ai’s flagship mannequin ranks tenth on the Synthetic Evaluation Intelligence Index, forward of DeepSeek V4 Professional Max.
Z.ai’s Hong Kong-listed shares climbed greater than 8% in Thursday buying and selling.
The corporate claimed it used 100,000 China-made chips to deal with all on-line requests to make use of GLM-5.3-Flash, together with when it was launched on Aug. 20 underneath the code identify “Ox Alpha.” The mannequin ranked first by utilization within the final week on the worldwide OpenRouter platform.
CNBC was unable to independently confirm Z.ai’s chip claims. The corporate declined to share particulars on which firms’ chips it was utilizing. Working an AI mannequin requires much less computing energy than coaching a mannequin.
Nvidia has struggled to promote its chips to China resulting from restrictions from Washington and Beijing. In the meantime, Huawei and different Chinese language firms have ramped up efforts to construct alternate options.
Z.ai is probably going utilizing Huawei Ascend together with different chip suppliers, stated Counterpoint Senior Analysis Analyst Ivan Lam. He famous extra firms in China are working intently collectively for deeper collaboration throughout {hardware} and software program.
“Chinese language AI mannequin builders have continued to allocate extra assets and funding towards AI servers and computing infrastructure constructed on home chips,” he stated.
China has ramped up home semiconductor and AI capabilities in an effort to realize tech self-sufficiency within the wake of U.S. restrictions on gross sales of superior chips to China. Main U.S. AI fashions are additionally not formally accessible in China.
Z.ai rival MiniMax‘s shares climbed by round 3% in Hong Kong buying and selling after reporting a 283% surge in income within the first half of the 12 months versus a 12 months in the past.
MiniMax reported adjusted web loss greater than doubled throughout that point to $293 million. The corporate’s flagship M3 mannequin ranks 18th on the Synthetic Evaluation Intelligence Index.
Z.ai is scheduled to report outcomes for the primary six months of the 12 months on Monday.
The 2 AI firms each listed in Hong Kong in January. Whereas Z.ai shares have skyrocketed by greater than 800% for the reason that IPO, MiniMax shares have solely climbed by over 80%.
— CNBC’s Jenny Lee contributed to this report
