DeepSeek Limits Access to New AI Model, Sidestepping US Chipmakers

Published: 26 Feb 2026

Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek is changing how it works with hardware partners ahead of its next major model release. Instead of sharing early versions with leading US chipmakers, the company has reportedly given domestic suppliers priority access, a move that highlights the growing divide between US and Chinese AI ecosystems.

A Departure From Standard Practice

Ahead of major AI launches, developers typically provide pre-release access to companies such as Nvidia and AMD so software can be optimized for widely deployed processors. DeepSeek, which previously collaborated closely with Nvidia engineers, is said to have skipped that step for its upcoming model update, widely expected to be called V4.

Instead, early access was reportedly granted to Chinese chip suppliers, including Huawei Technologies, giving them additional time to tune performance for domestic hardware.

Limited Near-Term Impact, Bigger Strategic Signal

Analysts note that the immediate business impact on US chipmakers may be modest, as DeepSeek’s models are not broadly deployed across enterprises. However, the decision carries strategic significance as China continues to strengthen its domestic AI supply chain.

Ben Bajarin of Creative Strategies said improvements in AI development tools have reduced the time needed to optimize software for new chips, narrowing the advantage traditionally gained through early access.

Scrutiny Over Training Hardware

Adding to the complexity, a senior US official has claimed that DeepSeek trained its latest model using Nvidia’s most advanced processors inside mainland China, a move that could raise questions around compliance with US export controls. The official suggested the company may attempt to downplay or conceal reliance on American chips by emphasizing the use of domestic alternatives.

DeepSeek has not publicly commented on these claims.

Open Source Momentum Fuels Debate

DeepSeek’s rapid rise has been driven in part by its success on Hugging Face, where its models have been downloaded tens of millions of times. Chinese open source models now rank among the most downloaded globally, intensifying competition with US AI labs.

This momentum has sharpened policy discussions in Washington over access to advanced AI hardware. While certain inference-focused chips have been approved for export, restrictions on cutting-edge training processors remain in place.

A Changing Global AI Landscape

As multiple Chinese AI companies prepare new releases, DeepSeek’s decision reflects a broader realignment in the industry. Collaboration between AI labs and hardware makers is increasingly shaped by national priorities, signaling a future where performance leadership and geopolitical strategy are tightly intertwined.

Source:

Reuters