ByteDance Collaborates with Broadcom on Advanced AI Chip Development

Chinese firm ByteDance, in collaboration with American chip developer Broadcom, is working on an advanced AI processor, according to sources cited by Reuters.

The 5-nanometer chip will comply with U.S. export restrictions, with production outsourced to Taiwan’s TSMC, the agency notes. Design work is currently underway, with product release reportedly not expected until next year.

Since Washington imposed controls on the export of cutting-edge semiconductors in 2022, there have been no public announcements of collaborations in the development of 5-nanometer and more advanced chips between Chinese and American companies. The partnership between TikTok’s owner and Broadcom aims to reduce procurement costs and ensure a stable supply of high-performance chips.

AI processors are crucial for ByteDance, enhancing the power of its algorithms. In addition to TikTok and its Chinese counterpart Douyin, the company operates other popular services, including the ChatGPT-like chatbot Doubao, which boasts a user base of 26 million people.

In June, TikTok announced the introduction of generative AI avatars for content creators and actors to be used in advertising and brand promotion.

In December 2022, the social network increased the transparency of its recommendation algorithms.