Yazılar

Chinese Chip Makers and Cloud Providers Rush to Support DeepSeek’s AI Models

/in /tarafından

Chinese chip makers and cloud service providers are quickly integrating DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence models into their systems, marking a significant turning point for the nation’s AI industry. Companies like Moore Threads and Hygon Information Technology, both AI chip manufacturers, announced that their computing clusters and accelerators are now compatible with DeepSeek’s R1 and V3 models. Moore Threads even shared a celebratory post on WeChat, praising DeepSeek’s ability to drive China’s AI sector forward by utilizing domestically produced graphic processing units (GPUs).

Huawei Technologies, which also develops AI chips, revealed it is collaborating with AI infrastructure startup SiliconFlow to integrate DeepSeek’s models into its Ascend cloud service. This integration has been described as a “watershed moment” by Bernstein analysts, highlighting the growing independence of China’s AI sector from advanced U.S. hardware.

Cloud giants like Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent have also jumped on board, offering DeepSeek’s models through their respective services. DeepSeek’s AI assistant, launched last month, quickly gained popularity by offering a more data-efficient alternative at a fraction of the cost of global competitors, surpassing ChatGPT in app downloads from Apple’s App Store within days.

The company has drawn attention globally with its groundbreaking approach. DeepSeek’s research, published in December, claimed that its V3 model’s training cost less than $6 million in Nvidia’s H800 chips—significantly lower than the billions spent by companies like Meta and Microsoft. This has been a major factor in DeepSeek’s rising prominence, with its founder, Liang Wenfeng, becoming a cultural figure in China.

While Microsoft and Amazon have started offering DeepSeek’s models, some countries, including Italy and the Netherlands, have raised concerns over privacy, leading them to either block or investigate the AI app.

 

China’s Pony.ai Eyes Robotaxi Services in Hong Kong, Joins Baidu in Race

/in /tarafından

Pony.ai Inc., a Guangzhou-based autonomous driving company, is preparing to launch its robotaxi services in Hong Kong, joining Baidu in the race to provide driverless commuting solutions in the city. As part of its expansion plans, Pony.ai aims to roll out robotaxi services initially for airport staff at Hong Kong International Airport, with future plans to expand to other urban areas. The company has yet to announce a specific timeline for the service launch.

This move places Pony.ai in direct competition with Baidu, the Chinese AI giant, which received approval from the Hong Kong government in November to conduct driverless taxi trials in the North Lantau area. Pony.ai has already secured robotaxi service licenses in major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, and is now looking to broaden its reach by exploring markets in South Korea, Luxembourg, the Middle East, and other international regions.

Pony.ai’s entry into the Hong Kong market is part of a broader strategy to expand its autonomous vehicle operations globally, capitalizing on the growing demand for self-driving technology in transportation services.

 

Beijing Introduces Regulations to Promote Driverless Vehicles

/in /tarafından

Beijing has unveiled new regulations designed to foster the growth of autonomous driving technology within the city, with plans to eventually permit driverless public buses and taxis. Starting April 1, 2025, autonomous vehicles that pass road testing and safety assessments will be eligible to apply for road trials. The city’s new rules support the use of self-driving vehicles for private cars, buses, trams, and taxis, and encourage the development of intelligent road infrastructure to accommodate these vehicles.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by Chinese authorities to accelerate the adoption of autonomous driving technology. At least 19 cities across China, including Beijing, have already begun testing robotaxis and robobuses. Major companies such as Apollo Go, a subsidiary of Baidu, and Pony.ai are expanding their robotaxi fleets, with Baidu planning to deploy 1,000 robotaxis in Wuhan by the end of 2024 and Pony.ai aiming for over 1,000 vehicles by 2026.

Additionally, Tesla is seeking regulatory approval to launch its full self-driving (FSD) technology in China by the first quarter of 2025, with plans to produce its own robotaxis by 2026.