Huawei Technologies is preparing to test its newest and most powerful artificial-intelligence processor, aiming to replace some higher-end products of U.S. chip giant Nvidia. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Huawei has approached several Chinese tech companies to test the technical feasibility of the new chip, named the Ascend 910D.

The Chinese company anticipates that this latest iteration of its Ascend AI processors will surpass the power of Nvidia's H100. The first batch of samples is expected to be received as early as late May. In a related development, Reuters reported that Huawei plans to begin mass shipments of its advanced 910C artificial intelligence chip to Chinese customers as early as next month.

For years, Huawei and its Chinese counterparts have been striving to match Nvidia in developing top-end chips capable of competing with the U.S. firm's products for training models. This training involves feeding data to algorithms to help them learn and make accurate decisions. Seeking to curb China's technological advancements, particularly those with military applications, Washington has restricted China's access to Nvidia's most advanced AI products, including the flagship B200 chip. The H100 chip, for instance, was banned from sale in China in 2022 by U.S. authorities even before its launch.

Nvidia has declined to comment on these developments, and Huawei has not yet responded to Reuters' request for comment. The AI race between the U.S. and China is intensifying, positioning Nvidia and Huawei Technologies as key competitors.