China Tops Global Fastest Supercomputer List, Experts Say It Doesn't Reflect AI Strength

TAIPEI, June 24 (CNA) -- China has surpassed the United States to top the global list of the fastest supercomputers, but the achievement may reflect Beijing's desire for self-sufficiency in computing systems rather than its actual standing in the global AI race, according to experts cited by Reuters.

The report stated that China's "LineShine" supercomputer, housed at the National Supercomputing Center in Shenzhen and utilizing domestically designed chips, secured the top spot in the biannual TOP500 global supercomputer rankings. This marks China's return to the top of the list for the first time in three years.

Competition between the United States and China in advanced computing is intensifying. U.S. President Trump signed an executive order yesterday aimed at maintaining U.S. leadership over China in the emerging field of quantum computing.

In the June 2024 edition of the TOP500 rankings, "LineShine" defeated the previous champion, "El Capitan," a supercomputer operated by the U.S. government at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for the development and maintenance of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

However, technology and policy experts interviewed by Reuters indicated that this result does not signify China possesses the world's fastest supercomputers for artificial intelligence (AI) computation. This is largely attributed to changes in the computing industry in recent years and the methodology of the rankings. "LineShine" ranked fourth in a benchmark test that more closely simulates AI computations.

In recent years, cloud computing companies such as Microsoft, Amazon.com, and Alphabet's Google have built their own large-scale supercomputers, primarily for AI tasks. Most of these companies have opted not to compete in the TOP500 rankings.

Research published last year by several AI policy researchers suggested that SpaceX's "Colossus" system is likely more powerful than the U.S. government's "El Capitan."

"If these hyperscale cloud providers submitted their systems, this 'world's fastest' supercomputer wouldn't even make the top 5," said Jimmy Goodrich, a senior researcher at the University of California's Institute for Global Conflict and Cooperation.

Experts believe China's ascent to the top spot more likely reflects their desire for recognition in chip design. China first topped the TOP500 list in 2010 and subsequently alternated leadership with the U.S. and Japan. However, after years of U.S. government export controls on chips and computing-related technologies, China stopped submitting systems for ranking in 2023.

Addison Snell, CEO of Intersect360 Research, a company focused on supercomputers, stated, "I'm not surprised LineShine is the number one system; what surprises me is that they chose to participate this time, seeking recognition."

According to information related to the rankings, the "LineShine" system does not feature any advanced AI chips, likely because the tools to manufacture such chips are still subject to U.S. export controls.

"China wants us to ignore these details and make the world believe that export controls are ineffective," Goodrich said.

The National Supercomputing Center in China did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Compiled by Lu Ying-tzu) 0624

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