Canonical launches Ubuntu for Chinese chip CIX P1, with Arm and AI

Canonical has released conceptual ISO images of Ubuntu for the CIX P1 processor, an AI chip from the Chinese firm CIX Technology. This SoC integrates Arm Cortex-A720 and Cortex-A520 cores, targeting affordable performance starting in 2024. It is found on boards like the Orion O6 series and competes with chips from Apple and Qualcomm.

photorealistic technical illustration of Canonical Ubuntu Linux booting on CIX P1 processor board, Arm Cortex-A720 and A520 cores visible under microscope-style closeup, AI neural network data streams flowing through chip interconnects while Orion O6 motherboard components glow with activity, circuit traces lighting up during system initialization, industrial engineering visualization with metallic heatsink and PCB texture, dramatic blue-orange lighting contrast, ultra-detailed silicon die shot style, cinematic macro photography aesthetic

Technical details of CIX P1 support in Ubuntu 🖥️

The ISO images are designed for the Orion O6 reference platform, allowing Ubuntu Server or Desktop to run with an optimized kernel. The CIX P1 includes a 40 TOPS NPU for AI acceleration, facilitating local inference workloads. Canonical has confirmed support for Arm Mali graphics and network drivers, although it warns that this is a conceptual version, not for production. Developers can test the software stack and report bugs.

A Chinese clone with Ubuntu? Well, yes, but without the smoke 🤖

Canonical has decided to shelter this Chinese chip that promises to be the Qualcomm killer without having killed a single fly. With 40 TOPS of AI, perhaps we'll use it to have Ubuntu recommend the best pizza. For now, it's only conceptual, so don't sell your MacBooks. At least official support exists, even if no one is quite sure what for.