Ren Zhengfei’s Insights: Navigating Huawei’s AI Path Amidst Challenges

Ren Zhengfei, the CEO of Huawei, recently shared some candid thoughts during an interview on how his company is tackling the immense challenges posed by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) in China. His reflections may not only surprise those who expect grandiose claims, but they also offer a fresh perspective that speaks to the reality tech companies face today.

Zhengfei's response to inquiries about Huawei's AI trajectory was strikingly straightforward: “I haven’t thought about it. It’s useless to think about it.” In a landscape often dominated by elaborate strategic forecasts, his advice feels refreshingly straightforward: "Don't think about the difficulties. Just do it and move forward step by step." Isn't there something quite liberating in that? In many ways, it mirrors the entrepreneurial journey where taking action is often more crucial than overthinking possible setbacks.

His philosophy isn’t merely a personal belief; it serves as a cornerstone for Huawei as it navigates a tumultuous sea of sanctions and hurdles from abroad. There’s a calm resolve in his conviction that resonates through all of his comments.

On the topic of Huawei's signature Ascend AI chips, Zhengfei shows remarkable honesty, eschewing the temptation to exaggerate achievements. "The United States has exaggerated Huawei’s achievements. Huawei is not that great yet," he admits. He hardly sounds rattled when he acknowledges that they still lag a generation behind in chip technology. It raises interesting questions about performance expectations in the tech industry, right?

So, what’s the game plan when the latest hardware is out of reach? For Zhengfei, it’s about amplifying the intelligence within the existing capabilities. He notes that Huawei is leveraging its strengths in software and mathematics to bridge the gap between hardware’s limitations and achieve competitive results. “We use mathematics to make up for physics,” he explains, emphasizing a mindset of using innovative approaches—like coding and linking chips together into robust clusters—to generate impressive outcomes. Who knew the answer to hardware constraints could lie within the realm of pure algorithmic creativity?

His pragmatic approach extends to his views on company identity. In an age when companies are often lauded or criticized on a whim, he chooses a cautious path. “We are also under a lot of pressure when people praise us,” he admits. Instead of chasing accolades, his focus remains steadfast on performance. "Don’t care about praise or criticism, but care about whether you can do well," he asserts. This grounding notion can be a tough pill for many in the industry to swallow, but it hits home.

Yet, the essence of Zhengfei's vision unfolds in the longer game—fundamental scientific research. With a passion that resonates, he frames it as the very essence of progress. He warns, “If we do not do basic research, we will have no roots. Even if the leaves are lush and flourishing, they will fall down when the wind blows.” This isn't merely abstract talk, either; it’s backed by substantial financial commitment. Out of Huawei's staggering annual R&D budget of 180 billion yuan (around $25 billion), 60 billion yuan (approximately $8.34 billion) goes straight into theoretical research. This is a leap into the unknown, banking on the long-term value of curiosity.

When peering into the future, Zhengfei sees AI as a radical evolution for humanity at large—not just for Huawei. He’s optimistic that breakthroughs won’t solely sprout from tech behemoths but from experts across disciplines, like healthcare professionals or construction workers, as they leverage AI to tackle tangible challenges. His enthusiasm, verging on contagious, leads him to reference a recent opinion piece by New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman, aptly titled “I Just Saw the Future. It Was Not in America.”

The CEO appears to have grounded himself in resilience, focusing on building something enduring amidst overwhelming political complexities. Rather than being swayed by external turmoil, his eyes are set firmly on the slow yet steady work of nurturing deep-rooted innovation—all while moving forward step by patient step. It's a refreshing take in a world that too often craves quick wins.