Chinese AI company DeepSeek has delayed the release of its new R2 model due to technical challenges with Huawei chips.
Delay in R2 AI Model Release
DeepSeek has postponed the launch of its latest AI model R2 after experiencing persistent technical issues with Huawei’s Ascend processors. The company had been encouraged by local authorities to use Huawei products instead of US-made Nvidia chips.
Chip Performance Issues
The challenges encountered during the training phase of the R2 model led DeepSeek to rely on Nvidia for this aspect, while using Ascend chips for inference. Insiders note that Huawei chips suffer from slower inter-chip connectivity and software limitations affecting stability compared to Nvidia's products.
Impact on DeepSeek's Competitiveness
The delays to the R2 launch are further complicated by slow progress in data labeling for the model’s updated features. Founder Liang Wenfeng expressed internal dissatisfaction with the progress, urging the team to take the necessary time to ensure a competitive product. Meanwhile, competitors like Alibaba's Qwen3 model are gaining traction among developers.
The R2 model release is a crucial moment for DeepSeek, and the decision to delay it for performance improvement may help the company maintain its competitive position in the AI market.
