DeepSeek Shifts to Huawei Chips as Anthropic Enters US Politics

DeepSeek is moving to Huawei chips for its next AI model to reduce NVIDIA dependence, while Anthropic launches a PAC to fund US political candidates.

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is preparing its next-generation model by transitioning to Huawei chips—a move that highlights the country’s drive to reduce its reliance on American suppliers like NVIDIA.

The anticipated V4 model will be the company’s first developed entirely on Chinese hardware infrastructure.

Reports indicate that leading technology firms such as Alibaba, ByteDance, and Tencent have already placed orders for the new chips, signaling an accelerated localization of the AI supply chain.

China Bets on Its Own Ecosystem

The shift toward domestic chips comes amid US export restrictions on high-tech components to China. In this environment, developing alternative infrastructure has become a strategic priority for Beijing.

Increased demand for Huawei hardware suggests that Chinese tech giants are ready to support internal solutions, even if they currently trail American products in performance. This could speed up the construction of an independent AI ecosystem that functions outside Western technological constraints.

Anthropic Enters the Political Arena

While China consolidates its technological autonomy, US-based Anthropic is taking a different path by entering politics directly. The company has established its own political action committee (PAC) called “AnthroPAC,” which will fund candidates in upcoming elections.

The committee will be funded through voluntary donations from employees, staying within legal limits for political contributions. According to the company, support will be directed toward candidates from both major parties, though questions remain regarding the actual balance of this strategy.

Friction with the Pentagon and Regulatory Pressure

The decision arrives during a period of heightened tension between Anthropic and the US Department of Defense. Earlier this year, the company was designated a supply chain risk after opposing the use of its AI systems in autonomous weapons and mass surveillance.

Anthropic is challenging the decision in court, claiming it is a retaliatory move against its stance on ethical issues. A federal court has temporarily blocked the restrictions, allowing the company to continue its operations without immediate consequences.

In parallel, the firm is already actively participating in the funding of initiatives related to AI policy, including significant donations to organizations working in the field of artificial intelligence safety.

Diverging Paths in the Global AI Sector

These two parallel developments—China’s push for technological autonomy and the political mobilization of American AI firms—underscore a deepening divide in the global AI industry.

While China focuses on infrastructure control and independence, the US is entering a stage where AI development is increasingly shaped by political and regulatory factors.