Malaysia unveils first AI device chip to join global race
Local designer SkyeChip introduces the MARS1000, an edge AI processor that powers devices from cars to robots from within
[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia unveiled its own AI processor on Monday (Aug 25), joining a global race to build the most sought-after electronic components for artificial intelligence development.
Local designer SkyeChip introduced the MARS1000 at an industry association event attended by senior government officials. The chip is the country’s first edge AI processor, meaning a component that powers devices from cars to robots from within, the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association said in a statement.
The nation is seeking to play a bigger role in the global chip supply chain and capitalise on the AI boom. It is already a key global player in semiconductor packaging and serves as a manufacturing hub for gear suppliers including Lam Research. And it is a burgeoning hub for AI data centres, with major investments from companies including Oracle and Microsoft.
An edge AI chip is far less complex and powerful than Nvidia’s state-of-the-art offerings that power data centres and train algorithms on a large scale, though it is still a key step in building up cutting-edge tech capabilities. It is unclear where SkyeChip will manufacture its designs.
Officials in Kuala Lumpur are on a multiyear mission to boost Malaysia’s prowess in chip design, wafer fabrication and AI data centres. The government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had pledged to spend at least RM25 billion (S$7.6 billion) to climb the global value chain.
That effort is complicated by the Trump administration’s proposal to restrict AI chip flows to Malaysia and Thailand amid suspicions that smugglers are using these countries as transshipment stops to funnel semiconductors into restricted markets such as China.
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Malaysia has recently moved to tighten exports of AI chips with US tech and said it does not tolerate the misuse of the country for illicit trading activities. BLOOMBERG
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