DeepSeek releases official V4 Pro model as it steps up expansion
DeepSeek said the V4-Pro-0813 greatly enhances agent capabilities and is available through the API, APP and Web channels. The company also said it will raise API pricing for its V4 Pro and V4 Flash models and introduce peak and off-peak pricing.
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has officially unveiled its advanced V4 Pro model on Thursday, seeking to regain market share against rapid competitors and scale up its operations. The V4-Pro-0813 version significantly enhances agent capabilities and is accessible via API, APP, and Web platforms. DeepSeek announced plans to increase API pricing for V4 Pro and V4 Flash models, alongside introducing peak and off-peak pricing tiers.
This move follows the unexpected success of DeepSeek's cheaper V4 Flash model, which outperformed a preview of V4 Pro in several independent tests. The release of the V4 Pro comes at a critical time for DeepSeek, as it faces stiff competition from local AI firms like Moonshot AI, Zhipu AI, MiniMax, Alibaba, and ByteDance. The company has also struggled to translate its early prominence into a sustainable business model, prompting a significant fundraising round at a valuation of approximately $74 billion.
This comes weeks after DeepSeek raised $7.4 billion in its initial external financing round in June. The fundraising reflects the increasing financial demands of the AI sector, which requires substantial investments in computing power, data centers, and specialized personnel. DeepSeek aims to more than double its workforce across various departments, including data center management and AI agent teams, as well as in-house chip design efforts to reduce reliance on suppliers like Nvidia and Huawei.
The company's V4 Pro release is closely watched as it could signal a shift in the competitive landscape of China's AI industry.
Written by urgent.news from Economic Times Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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