DeepSeek V4 launch: How new open-source model challenges Google’s Gemini 3.1 Pro

The Chinese AI startup, DeepSeek, which surprised the world with a low-cost model last year, has introduced a preview of its highly anticipatedV4 series, released this Friday. 

 The V4 Pro version surpasses other open-source models in world-knowledge, trailing only Google’s Gemini 3.1 Pro. 

The company also launched V4 Flash, a more affordable version designed to incorporate real-world user feedback.

At present, no specific timeline has been released for the model, which is expected to be finalized in the near future. According to a report released by The Information, DeepSeek’s prime motive is to raise funds at a valuation exceeding $20 billion.

Despite the controversy, DeepSeek is reportedly seeking a valuation of over $20 billion, with tech giants Alibaba and Tencent expected to acquire stakes. 

Meanwhile, the White House has accused China of stealing intellectual property from US AI labs on an industrial scale- a move that threatens to disrupt the upcoming summit between US and Chinese leaders.

DeepSeek has faced repeated accusations from the US and its allies regarding improper and illegal conduct. 

The Chinese Embassy in Washington dismissed the claims as “baseless allegations,” maintaining that Beijing is committed to protecting intellectual property rights.

Huawei has worked closely with DeepSeek to ensure the new V4 models are fully compatible with its high-performance Ascend AI systems. 

Huawei's entire Ascend supernode product line now supports the DeepSeek V4 series, signaling a deeper integration of Chinese hardware and software.

Following US restrictions on advanced AI chips starting in 2022, China has accelerated efforts to reduce its reliance on American semiconductor technology. 

This shift toward technological independence has benefited domestic firms like Huawei, positioning its Ascend chips as a central alternative to US- made hardware.