Chinese AI lab DeepSeek has broken industry norms by withholding early access to its upcoming V4 model from U.S. chipmakers Nvidia and AMD, according to a Reuters report.
Instead, the company has shared pre-release access with domestic suppliers, including Huawei Technologies, giving Chinese chipmakers a head start in optimizing the software ahead of its launch.
AI developers typically collaborate with leading hardware firms before major releases to ensure performance compatibility. DeepSeek had previously worked closely with Nvidia’s technical teams. Nvidia and AMD declined to comment, while DeepSeek and Huawei did not respond.
This shift in strategy highlights a broader push by Chinese technology firms to reduce dependence on foreign hardware and strengthen domestic capabilities. By prioritizing local partnerships, companies like DeepSeek aim to build a more self-reliant ecosystem that can withstand external pressures such as export restrictions and geopolitical tensions. This approach may also accelerate innovation within China’s semiconductor and AI industries, as closer collaboration between software developers and local chipmakers can lead to more optimized and efficient systems.
At the same time, this development could reshape competitive dynamics in the global AI industry. U.S.-based chipmakers like Nvidia and AMD have long benefited from early collaboration with leading AI labs, which helps refine their hardware for cutting-edge applications. Being excluded from early access may limit their ability to optimize performance for emerging models like DeepSeek V4, potentially affecting their competitive edge in certain markets. It also signals a gradual shift toward regional technology ecosystems, where companies increasingly align with domestic partners rather than global ones.
The move comes amid intensifying U.S.-China technology tensions and growing scrutiny over AI chip exports. DeepSeek’s open-source models have been downloaded more than 75 million times on Hugging Face since January 2025, underscoring the rapid rise of Chinese AI alternatives to U.S. labs.
U.S. authorities last year allowed shipments of Nvidia’s H20 and AMD’s MI308 inference chips to China to resume, even as more advanced processors remain restricted. DeepSeek is among several Chinese AI firms expected to unveil new models in the coming weeks.
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