Open-source chip design spurring on AI

RISC-V architecture embraced by growing number of domestic firms

Open-source chip design architecture RISC-V is gaining in popularity in China, experts said, as domestic tech companies such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd work to sharpen their technological strengths in semiconductors amid the rapidly evolving era of artificial intelligence.

RISC-V technology manages memory systems shared between CPUs, and has been open and free for use since its debut in 2010.Developers can use it to design a chip tailored to their unique needs.

Chip designs have traditionally been expensive to license. Global chip designers, such as Intel and ARM, have kept their blueprints secret. This meant consumers had to buy manufactured chips directly, or pay more for customized designs.