Chinese semiconductor company Cambricon, considered by many a rival to Taiwan’s Nvidia, is planning to raise US$560 million in funding, according to a statement released over the past weekend. The funding was approved by the Shanghai Stock Exchange.The funding will be directed towards chips that are essential to the development of artificial intelligence systems. The move comes amid an attempt by the Chinese government to develop fully local artificial intelligence systems. Indeed, China is currently requiring half of the chips in public computing hubs to come from local producers.
The new funding for Cambricon could position China on the verge of becoming the clear leader in artificial intelligence. As a matter of fact, the country has already demonstrated advanced AI capabilities with the large language model DeepSeek, albeit using foreign chips, and this move could further advance its position in a race against many other nations.
Indeed, many countries are recognizing AI’s potential and are working to build faster, more reliable, and human-focused technologies. At the center of this push are cities and tech hubs where industries, research, and innovation converge. These places have attracted skilled professionals and investors eager to be part of the AI revolution. Venture capital is flowing into these regions, helping turn ideas into impactful solutions.
This gallery highlights some of the leading cities making major strides in AI development and funding. Curious to see which places are leading the way? Click to find out.