China’s DeepSeek previews new AI model a year after jolting US rivals

The Verge / 4/24/2026

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Key Points

  • Chinese AI company DeepSeek previewed its next-generation open-source model V4, claiming it can compete with top closed-source offerings from US firms such as Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI.
  • DeepSeek says V4 is a major upgrade over earlier models, with particular strength in coding—an ability increasingly critical for AI agents and developer-focused products.
  • The article notes that the V4 release is also viewed as a milestone for China’s chip ecosystem, with DeepSeek emphasizing compatibility with domestic Huawei technology.
  • The preview arrives about a year after DeepSeek previously jolted US AI rivals, underscoring continuing competitive pressure in the global AI race.

Chinese AI company DeepSeek released a preview of its hotly anticipated next-generation AI model V4 on Friday, saying that the open-source model can compete with leading closed-source systems from US rivals including Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI.

DeepSeek says V4 marks a major improvement over prior models, especially in coding, a capability that has become central to AI agents and helped drive the success of tools like ChatGPT Codex and Claude Code. The release is also a milestone for China's chip industry, with DeepSeek explicitly highlighting compatibility with domestic Huawei technology.


The release comes a year after DeepSeek rattl …

Read the full story at The Verge.