DeepSeek allows Huawei early access to V4 update, but Nvidia and AMD still don’t have access to V4

Chinese AI leader DeepSeek is strategically managing access to its latest V4 model update, granting early privileges to domestic hardware suppliers like Huawei while withholding it from US chip giants Nvidia and AMD, according to a Reuters report. This move is a deliberate effort to help Chinese companies optimize their processor software and ensure the advanced AI model runs efficiently on homegrown hardware, reflecting a broader national push for technological self-reliance. The decision underscores the escalating tech decoupling between the US and China, where access to cutting-edge AI software is becoming a new frontier in the semiconductor competition.

The V4 update is a significant iteration of DeepSeek's flagship model, and early access allows Huawei and other Chinese chip designers to fine-tune their drivers, compilers, and system software for maximum performance. For Nvidia and AMD, the delay in access could hinder their ability to demonstrate optimal performance of DeepSeek's models on their own GPUs in the Chinese market, potentially giving domestic alternatives a competitive edge. This tactic mirrors China's broader strategy of creating a parallel, insulated tech stack, from chips to foundational AI models, reducing dependency on Western technology. The situation presents a complex challenge for global AI infrastructure, as software and hardware development become increasingly entangled with geopolitical tensions.