Article by Ayman Alheraki on January 11 2026 10:36 AM
The RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA) is emerging as a serious contender in the global computing industry. Developed as an open-source alternative to proprietary ISAs like Arm and x86, RISC-V offers unique advantages that are attracting attention from startups, industry leaders, and governments alike. As of 2025, the momentum behind RISC-V continues to grow, signaling a transformative shift in the semiconductor landscape.
1. Open-Source and License-Free Architecture One of the most appealing features of RISC-V is that it is not bound by licensing fees. Unlike Arm or x86, companies adopting RISC-V do not need to pay royalties or negotiate licensing terms. This significantly reduces costs, especially for startups and companies in developing countries that seek to innovate without incurring heavy fees.
2. Customization and Flexibility RISC-V's modular design allows implementers to customize the instruction set based on their specific needs. This is particularly valuable in embedded systems, edge computing, IoT, and AI workloads, where tailored performance and energy efficiency are crucial. Developers can add or remove extensions to meet application-specific requirements without bloating the design.
3. Strategic Importance for Technological Independence Countries such as China, Japan, and India are increasingly supporting RISC-V as part of their strategic efforts to achieve technological sovereignty. By investing in RISC-V ecosystems, they aim to reduce dependence on Western-controlled chip technologies and build domestic semiconductor expertise.
4. Growing Ecosystem and Global Collaboration The RISC-V community has grown into a global ecosystem of developers, manufacturers, toolchain contributors, and academic institutions. Open collaboration has enabled faster innovation and the development of robust tools, compilers, simulators, and development boards, further accelerating adoption.
Despite these advantages, RISC-V still faces challenges. The software ecosystem is not yet as mature as that of Arm or x86. Compatibility with legacy systems, optimization of compilers, and widespread operating system support are still evolving. However, these gaps are closing quickly as major companies and institutions contribute to the ecosystem.
A growing number of companies and chip design firms are embracing RISC-V, either by building commercial processors or using the architecture in their custom silicon. Some of the most prominent players include:
Alibaba’s T-Head (XuanTie) Alibaba's chip division has been heavily involved in RISC-V development, producing processors for AI, cloud computing, and edge devices. They have released multiple generations of commercial RISC-V processors, demonstrating China's commitment to expanding its domestic chip capabilities.
Nuclei System Technology A Chinese company specializing in commercial RISC-V cores, Nuclei provides high-performance and low-power processors for embedded systems, smart devices, and industrial automation.
Tenstorrent This U.S.-based AI startup is working with international partners, including Japan, to develop advanced RISC-V-based chips for AI inference. Tenstorrent is also helping train engineers to design RISC-V processors, contributing to the ecosystem’s talent pool.
MIPS Technologies A legacy name in processor development, MIPS has transitioned to using RISC-V for new products, particularly focusing on AI and robotics applications. Their shift highlights how legacy architecture companies are rethinking their futures with open instruction sets.
Untether AI Known for AI inference chips, Untether AI has launched new RISC-V-based processors targeting applications like autonomous vehicles, agriculture, and energy-efficient data centers. Their focus is on high-speed parallel computing using RISC-V as the control core.
Sophon Sophon’s SG2042 is one of the most advanced RISC-V CPUs currently available, featuring 64 cores and targeting high-performance workloads such as cloud computing, large-scale data processing, and scientific computing. This showcases that RISC-V is not just for embedded or IoT but can also scale into data center workloads.
China China has formally integrated RISC-V into its national technology strategy. The government is actively encouraging public and private sectors to adopt RISC-V in an effort to reduce dependency on foreign chip architectures. Numerous Chinese startups and research institutions are working on RISC-V tools, operating systems, and application-specific chips.
Japan Japan is also making significant investments in RISC-V. With a need to revitalize its semiconductor industry, Japan is partnering with companies such as Tenstorrent to help train the next generation of chip designers using RISC-V. Educational institutions and government-backed initiatives are fostering a growing RISC-V knowledge base.
United States and Europe While Arm and x86 still dominate in Western markets, there is a rising interest in RISC-V for research, education, and specific commercial applications. Several U.S. and European startups are experimenting with RISC-V for edge AI, custom accelerators, and security-focused processors. Major tech firms are also contributing to RISC-V International and supporting its toolchain development.
India and Brazil Emerging economies like India and Brazil are recognizing the potential of RISC-V to establish domestic chip industries. Academic institutions in these countries are starting to teach RISC-V architecture, and small startups are prototyping local RISC-V-based products in consumer and industrial markets.
The future of RISC-V looks promising. Its open nature, flexibility, and growing community support position it as a formidable competitor to proprietary ISAs. While it may take a few more years to challenge the dominance of Arm and x86 in all sectors, RISC-V is already proving to be disruptive in embedded systems, AI, robotics, and edge computing.
Global adoption is accelerating, backed by both government policies and corporate investment. As the ecosystem matures and more companies release commercial-grade RISC-V processors, it is likely that RISC-V will play a central role in shaping the future of computing across a wide range of industries.
If the trend continues, RISC-V could well become one of the dominant architectures of the next computing era.