Huawei's Guo Ping's Latest Statement: Not Building Large Models, but Becoming the "NVIDIA" of the Industry?
Hello, everyone. I'm your financial analyst.
Recently, a significant document has circulated within Huawei—a summary of a discussion between Guo Ping, the chairman of the supervisory board, and new employees. This document contains a wealth of information that not only reveals Huawei's strategic ambitions in the AI era but also directly addresses various speculations about Huawei's chips, business scope, and approach to talent management.
Many non-professionals might find terms like "Shengteng," "Kunpeng," and "Tao's Law" confusing. Don't worry; today, we'll break down these technical jargon into plain language to understand what Huawei really wants to achieve and what it means for us ordinary people.
Key Points from the Discussion
In short, Guo Ping's speech has defined Huawei's new role in the AI era: Huawei does not aim to be the smartest "brain" (i.e., the largest model) but rather the strongest "body" (i.e., the computing infrastructure).
Huawei's goal is to become the "NVIDIA" of the AI industry. This means that no matter which company develops the most powerful large model, Huawei ensures it runs fastest and most reliably on its chips and servers. The company has also made it clear that it will not blindly expand its business scope but will continue to focus on "connection" and "computing." Despite chip limitations, Huawei plans to compensate for these shortcomings through architectural innovation and a strategy of "using time to gain space." Finally, Guo Ping reminded employees that in the AI era, rote memorization is no longer enough; the ability to ask questions, solve problems, and continuously learn is what matters most.
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Deep Dive: Understanding Huawei's AI Ambitions from Five Perspectives
1. Strategic Positioning: Not Being a "Chef," but Creating a "Michelin-Level Kitchen"
【Plain Language Explanation】
People used to ask whether Huawei would develop its own large models like ChatGPT. Guo Ping made it clear: Huawei's core goal is not to create the best model but to ensure that all models can run efficiently on its platforms.
Think of it like running a restaurant:
- Previous Approach: Huawei wanted to develop the most complex recipes (large models) and become the best chef.
- Current Approach: Huawei aims to build the best kitchen in the world (with technologies like Shengteng, Kunpeng, and super node clusters). Whether you're a Michelin-starred chef or a street vendor, as long as you use our kitchen, we guarantee precise cooking, fast service, and low costs.
Guo Ping mentioned that Huawei wants to be the "NVIDIA" in the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and computing fields. NVIDIA's strength doesn't lie in its own AI applications but in the fact that 90% of AI training is done on its GPUs. Huawei's strategy is to provide the strongest computing power, ensuring that any large model can run efficiently on its hardware. This is a practical and commercially wise move that avoids direct competition with model manufacturers and allows Huawei to dominate the infrastructure market.
2. Business Scope: Focusing on What Matters
【Plain Language Explanation】
Many companies try to diversify, moving into areas like smartphones, cars, and finance. However, Guo Ping stated that Huawei has no plans for business expansion.
What does this mean? Huawei will focus on its core areas: connection (5G, optical networks) and computing (chips, servers, cloud computing).
- Why? According to Guo Ping, the key is to focus on one's own capabilities, not external factors.
It's like a martial artist; instead of learning a hundred techniques, it's better to master one skill to the highest level. In the fast-paced AI world, diversifying can lead to falling behind. Huawei aims to strengthen its foundation in connection and computing, which will benefit other businesses (such as smart cars and devices).
3. Chip Breakthrough: Finding a Way Around the Barrier
【Plain Language Explanation】
This is a major concern: with US restrictions on chip manufacturing, how can Huawei overcome this? Guo Ping mentioned "Tao's Law," which suggests a different approach:
- Traditional Approach: Trying to make smaller chips (like using 3nm or 2nm processes).
- Huawei's Approach: Instead of making smaller chips, Huawei focuses on optimizing software, architecture, and systems to make data flow more efficiently within the chips.
Guo Ping emphasized that Huawei will use "integration of design and manufacturing" to compensate for process limitations. In other words, even if its chips aren't as advanced, its chip designs are more sophisticated, ensuring better performance and reliability.
Regarding the Shengteng 950 series, Guo Ping stressed that the focus is on solving practical problems, not just on high parameters. This means Huawei's chips may not outperform competitors in individual metrics, but they will have an overall advantage in efficiency, stability, and cost-effectiveness.
4. AI Implementation: From Showoff to Practical Use, with Operators as the First Test Bed
【Plain Language Explanation】
AI is popular, but many applications are still in the chat stage. Guo Ping pointed out that AI needs to be integrated into traditional industries, such as telecommunications networks.
Imagine a 5G network with many devices and complex connections, making maintenance costly. In the future, AI will automate network operations, identifying and fixing issues automatically.
- Skill Requirements: This requires "practical AI professionals" who understand networks and business processes and can use AI tools effectively.
Huawei distinguishes between different AI applications:
- ICT/Computing: Developing models for infrastructure.
- End Devices/Smart Driving: Developing custom models for specific scenarios.
- Huawei Cloud: Developing models for cloud services, where models are a core competitive advantage.
This shows that Huawei is clear about where to invest in AI: where it needs to develop in-house solutions, where to collaborate, and where to outsource.
5. Talent Management: In the AI Era, Asking Questions is More Important than Answering Them
【Plain Language Explanation】
Guo Ping discussed that AI could be the last major technological revolution, which will change the workplace. In the past, we valued those who knew a lot and could calculate quickly. Now, AI will do that, so the new skills are:
1. Clearly defining problems.
2. Continuously questioning and correcting answers.
3. Solving practical problems.
4. Continuous learning.
This means that in the future, the ability to apply knowledge and think critically will be more important than just having a lot of knowledge.
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Conclusion
In summary, Guo Ping's statement reflects Huawei's "calm and pragmatic" approach to the AI era. Instead of chasing the hype around large models, Huawei is focusing on its strengths in connection and computing, using innovation to overcome hardware limitations and maintaining focus on its core competencies. For us, this technological revolution may not mean smarter phones but a shift in our way of thinking: from finding answers to defining problems. That's the real key to success in the AI era.