DeepSeek has launched many models running on a combination of Huawei and Nvidia AI chips, but it looks like the startup firm is planning to break this reliance with its own product. A report says DeepSeek could begin developing its own AI chipsets.
Reuters reported that DeepSeek is pushing to produce its own AI chips. Doing so will reduce its dependency on Huawei and Nvidia for large language models (LLMs).
The AI startup has started ramping up the recruitment process of chip-design engineers in the past few months. And this new decision will take a major turn in China’s AI industry.
Details reveal that the new DeepSeek-made chips will focus on inference – the level where a trained model powered by AI computing begins to generate responses for users. It is an operational phase that takes place after training is complete.
The company is in the initial phase of developing its AI semiconductors and is looking for chip-design, foundry, and memory companies. It is also planning to join global AI developers and get better control over hardware components.
Per the report, DeepSeek’s entry in the Chinese AI chip market can appear as a strategic shift. While the company is already considered the AI champion of China, the new move can trigger fierce competition in the country’s advanced chipset race.
Nvidia has already slipped in China’s AI semiconductor market as Huawei is gaining ground. But if DeepSeek enters the battleground, it can impact Ascend chip shares as well. The OEM lags behind Nvidia, and DeepSeek can further level up the game.
Inputs mention that Huawei’s grip on the market is weakening as the top tech giants like Alibaba and Baidu are focusing on developing their own AI processors to make their space in the market. Let’s see how things will proceed in the time ahead.
(Image Credits: DeepSeek)
