Can Huawei become an AI leader? The race for AI supremacy heats up as China's tech giant makes bold claims.
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| Early success in China, but Huawei's tech ambitions can translate globally. Huawei is now in trending items. |
Shenzhen, June 21, 2024:
Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications giant, is making bold claims about its technological prowess. At a recent developer conference, Huawei executives touted their breakthroughs in operating systems (OS) and artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to position themselves as a global leader in these critical fields. However, these claims warrant a closer look.
A Viable Alternative or Playing Catch-Up?
A central pillar of Huawei's strategy is its Harmony operating system (OS), launched in 2019 after the company faced US sanctions that restricted access to Google's Android platform. Huawei claims HarmonyOS is now on over 900 million devices, a significant number. However, it's crucial to understand the context of this figure. Many of these devices are likely low-end appliances or smart home gadgets within the vast Chinese market. Huawei's dominance in China doesn't necessarily translate to global success.
Furthermore, Huawei claims to have achieved a core independent operating system within a decade, a feat that supposedly took Western companies 30 years. This assertion is debatable. While HarmonyOS offers a functional alternative to Android, independent experts haven't verified claims of its technical superiority. Additionally, building an entire software ecosystem with app developers takes time and resources, areas where established players like Google and Apple hold a significant advantage.
AI Ambitions: A Genuine Threat or Overstated?
Huawei's Ascend AI infrastructure is the second most popular after Nvidia, a dominant player in AI chips. This is a noteworthy achievement, but it's important to remember that "second place" can be a vast distance behind the leader. Nvidia has established itself as a powerhouse in AI hardware, and Huawei will need to demonstrate sustained innovation to truly challenge their position.
Capitalizing on the Internet of Things (IoT) Boom
Huawei sees the burgeoning "internet of things" (IoT) as a golden opportunity. The growing network of interconnected devices creates a demand for software that seamlessly integrates them. Huawei believes its HarmonyOS is well-positioned to cater to this demand, potentially breaking the dominance of Western software giants in the IoT space. Whether they can capitalize on this opportunity will depend on the functionality and security offered by HarmonyOS compared to existing solutions.
Early Signs of Success, But Sustainability is Key
Huawei reports a 68% increase in HarmonyOS smartphone sales in the first half of 2024. This suggests the China-made chip powering these phones is performing well. Additionally, HarmonyOS captured a respectable 17% market share in China's smartphone market in Q1 2024, surpassing Apple's iOS. These are promising initial signs, but replicating this success outside of China will be a major challenge. Western consumers may be less receptive to a Chinese OS, and app developers will need strong incentives to create apps for a less established platform.
A Determined Challenger, But Questions Remain
Huawei's recent pronouncements and early performance indicate a determined push to become a major force in software and AI. Their ability to develop a truly world-class OS and challenge established players like Google and Apple in the global market remains to be seen. Independent verification of their claims and their ability to sustain growth outside of China will be crucial factors in determining whether Huawei can truly become a tech superpower.