ByteDance is negotiating with Chinese chipmakers Iluvatar CoreX and Baidu to procure AI chips. The TikTok parent company seeks a stable domestic GPU supply to power its Doubao AI chatbot.
These discussions follow stringent U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductor technology. A finalized deal would establish Iluvatar CoreX as a primary supplier alongside Huawei and Cambricon.
The move reflects a broader shift among Chinese tech giants to reduce dependence on Nvidia. Trade restrictions have significantly impacted Nvidia's market share within China.