DeepSeek Plans AI Agent to Rival OpenAI by 2025
Chinese startup DeepSeek is set to launch a next-generation AI agent by the end of 2025, according to a Bloomberg report. The Hangzhou-based company is developing a system capable of performing complex, multi-step tasks with minimal user input. The model will also learn from past actions to enhance its performance over time.
DeepSeek gained international attention earlier this year with its R1 model release. The system showcased advanced reasoning capabilities and was developed at a reported cost of just $6 million, significantly less than competitors like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Google's Gemini. R1 was also open source, allowing developers free access to its code, disrupting the 'bigger is better' approach prevalent in Silicon Valley.
Following R1, DeepSeek has proceeded cautiously. Founder Liang Wenfeng delayed the R2 model, attributing the pause to technical refinements and his ongoing work at High-Flyer Asset Management. This careful pace contrasts with competitors like Alibaba and Tencent, which have accelerated their AI rollouts.
Last month, DeepSeek released its V3.1 update, expanding the context window to 128,000 tokens and increasing the parameter count to 685 billion. The company also now applies mandatory AI-generated content labels on all outputs, a policy that distinguishes DeepSeek from its peers.
The upcoming R2 model will target the emerging market for AI agents. Unlike chatbots that provide text-based responses, agents are designed to handle tasks such as travel planning, software debugging, and business workflows with minimal human supervision. Analysts view this technology as the next major step in AI, capable of boosting productivity and reshaping digital services.
Global competitors, including OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic, have already introduced agent-focused features. DeepSeek aims to match and potentially surpass these efforts, continuing its push to challenge U.S. dominance in AI.
Details about pricing, availability, and technical specifications remain limited. However, industry watchers expect the launch to be closely monitored in both Silicon Valley and Washington, where DeepSeek's rapid progress has already raised concerns about China's growing influence in artificial intelligence.