Chinese AI Startup DeepSeek Plans to Develop Its Own Chips Amid US Export Restrictions

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, known for developing large language models that rival those of US firms like OpenAI and Anthropic, is planning to enter the semiconductor business. According to Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, DeepSeek has been working on the chip initiative for about a year, meeting with potential hardware and silicon partners and hiring engineers for the project. The move is driven by US export controls, prompting the company to pursue internal chip development to maintain competitiveness.