The U.S.–China AI technology war is undoubtedly one of the hottest issues in today’s global tech landscape. As Washington continues to tighten restrictions on high-performance AI chip exports, major players—from leading foundries to fabless chipmakers—have all been on edge. Yet, from within this geopolitical choke point, a new Chinese tech billionaire has emerged almost miraculously: Chen Tianshi, founder of China’s rising AI-chip powerhouse Cambricon.
Once a company overshadowed by Huawei just six or seven years ago, Cambricon has surged with explosive momentum—much like the Cambrian Explosion it is named after—fueled largely by China’s aggressive push for technological self-reliance in response to U.S. sanctions. Chen’s wealth has more than doubled this year, now reaching $22.5 billion (about ₩33 trillion), making him the third-youngest billionaire under 40 worldwide. His ascent perfectly captures the paradox of American sanctions accidentally forging China’s next generation of tech elites.
How Cambricon Became the Beating Heart of China’s “Self-Reliant AI Era”
A Chinese Tech Prodigy Who Bet His Life on AI Chips
Born in 1985, Chen Tianshi is no ordinary entrepreneur. Alongside his brother Chen Yunji, he rose through China’s elite gifted-education system before earning a PhD in computer science. The brothers conducted groundbreaking research together at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where they gained early global recognition in AI acceleration.
Their 2014 paper on AI accelerators introduced a bold new approach to brain-inspired computing, which was still considered an obscure concept at the time. A year later, they unveiled their first brain-inspired chip—aptly naming the company Cambricon, signaling their ambition to spark an evolutionary leap in AI computing. Backed by funding from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cambricon officially spun out as an independent startup in 2016.
From Loss-Making Startup to “Sanction Beneficiary” Stock
When Cambricon went public on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2020, expectations were sky-high. Yet, until late 2024, the company struggled with persistent losses—unable to challenge the overwhelming dominance of NVIDIA despite its technological ambition.
But everything changed after the U.S. began enforcing strict export controls on advanced AI chips in 2022. China suddenly found itself unable to buy NVIDIA or AMD’s cutting-edge processors. In response, Beijing pushed domestic institutions and companies to adopt homegrown chips—an enormous policy shift that sent demand for Cambricon (and Huawei’s chips) skyrocketing.
As a result:
Cambricon’s revenue surged more than 500% in just one year
Its share price jumped over 765% in 24 months
This surge demonstrates how geopolitical forces can dramatically alter the destiny of a tech company, sometimes in completely unintended ways. U.S. sanctions, ironically, accelerated China’s AI self-reliance and helped create a new breed of tech billionaires.
A Meteoric Rise—But an Uncertain Future
A Billionaire Created by National Policy
Chen Tianshi’s leap into the global billionaire ranks is inseparable from China’s massive state-driven push for technological independence. Beijing’s strategy signals an intentional effort to cultivate a new class of tech elites, much like its previous generation gave rise to Alibaba and Tencent.
While Chen’s talent is undeniable, his success is tightly interwoven with the broader political vision of the Chinese Communist Party. Such state-driven acceleration is powerful—but can also create vulnerabilities if policies or geopolitical conditions shift.
“China’s NVIDIA”? Experts Say Not So Fast
Despite the soaring stock price and glowing headlines, many analysts remain cautious. Cambricon is still far from being a true rival to NVIDIA—and the main reason is CUDA.
AI chips are not judged by hardware alone. Their ultimate strength lies in the software ecosystem supporting them. NVIDIA’s CUDA platform is the product of decades of contributions from developers and research institutions worldwide. Rebuilding such a massive ecosystem—or replacing it—is extraordinarily difficult.
Some experts argue Cambricon’s valuation is heavily inflated by policy support. If mandatory domestic-chip purchase requirements weaken, or if the U.S. imposes even tighter restrictions, Cambricon’s growth trajectory could wobble.
Walking the Tightrope Between Self-Reliance and Global Competitiveness
Cambricon’s rise—and Chen Tianshi’s unexpected billionaire status—stands as one of the most dramatic outcomes of the U.S.–China technology war. It highlights China’s aggressive determination, deep talent pool, and willingness to deploy vast resources toward AI leadership.
Yet long-term success cannot rely solely on government support. To become a true “Chinese NVIDIA,” Cambricon must build not just powerful chips but a globally competitive ecosystem.
Their journey is more than just corporate growth—it is a test case for how innovation can survive, adapt, and evolve amid intense geopolitical pressure.