Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has launched its long-awaited next-generation artificial intelligence model, DeepSeek-V4, marking a significant step in the intensifying global AI competition. The announcement comes more than a year after the company surprised the tech world with a cost-efficient reasoning model that rivalled leading Western systems.
Read More: Baidu unveils low-cost AI models to challenge DeepSeek
According to the company, DeepSeek-V4 offers an ultra-long context window of up to one million words, allowing it to process and analyse far larger datasets than many existing models. This expanded capacity is expected to enhance performance across complex tasks such as coding, research, and advanced reasoning.
DeepSeek, the Chinese artificial intelligence startup whose low-cost model stunned the world last year, launched a preview of its highly anticipated new model, the V4 https://t.co/DrdO08I3CV
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 24, 2026
The model is available in two versions: V4-Pro and V4-Flash. The Pro version features approximately 1.6 trillion parameters, while the Flash version, with 284 billion parameters, is designed to be more efficient and cost-effective. Both versions have been optimised for compatibility with popular AI tools and coding assistants, broadening their practical use for developers and enterprises.
DeepSeek claims its latest model performs strongly in global benchmarks, particularly in reasoning and knowledge-based tasks. While it competes closely with top-tier systems like Gemini-Pro-3.1, the company emphasises its open-source approach as a key differentiator from proprietary models developed by firms such as OpenAI.
The release comes at a time when major US tech companies, including Meta and Microsoft, are restructuring operations and investing heavily in AI to maintain competitiveness.
Read More: Chinese AI startup Manus gains momentum with government support
DeepSeek’s rise has been described as a turning point for the global AI ecosystem, challenging assumptions of Western dominance and accelerating innovation worldwide. However, concerns around data privacy and content restrictions remain, highlighting the broader challenges facing rapidly evolving AI technologies.