Oxford PhD Graduate Leaves AI Chip Startup Amid Questions About Chinese Academic Ties

Song Yuhang, whose published papers on artificial intelligence (AI) have been widely cited and reported, obtained his PhD from the University of Oxford in 2022, and is also a recipient of the coveted JP Morgan AI Research Award. According to Song, he and his fellow Oxford PhD candidate Walter Goodwin co-founded Fractile as an entrepreneurial project in 2021. It became one of Britain's few technology start-ups, aiming to capitalise on the growing demand for computing power by manufacturing AI chips that are faster than Nvidia's. In February this year, a British-based digital media outlet reported that Song left Fractile in May 2024, after questions were raised about his academic background and earlier ties to Chinese institutions. Neither Song nor Fractile has commented on the suggestions – included in the report published by City AM – that his departure from the company was related to his links with Beihang University, where he completed his undergraduate studies. There is no suggestion that Song was involved in any misconduct, nor any accusations that intellectual property was transferred.