On May 27, 2026, Tom's Hardware reported that China has added nine homegrown AI chips to its 'secure and reliable'...

On May 27, 2026, Tom's Hardware reported that China has added nine homegrown AI chips to its 'secure and reliable' government procurement list for the first time, signaling a continued move away from Nvidia chips (source). This certification creates a direct demand channel for Chinese semiconductor foundries, with SMIC being the primary domestic foundry capable of producing advanced chips. While the specific chip designers are not named, the move underscores Beijing's push for self-sufficiency in AI infrastructure. If SMIC secures production contracts for any of these certified chips, it could lead to increased capacity utilization and revenue. However, the certification list does not explicitly mention SMIC, and the timeline for actual orders remains uncertain. The single-source nature and lack of direct SMIC confirmation warrant a low confidence rating. The expected impact on SMIC's orders could materialize within 45 days as government procurement processes begin.