In a significant move towards achieving AI autonomy, Huawei's cloud computing unit has partnered with SiliconFlow, a Beijing-based AI infrastructure startup, to make DeepSeek's advanced AI models accessible to a broader range of users. This collaboration marks a crucial step in China's efforts to strengthen its position in the global AI landscape.
Huawei's cloud unit has worked diligently to integrate DeepSeek's large language model V3 and reasoning model R1 into its Ascend cloud service. The company claims the performance of DeepSeek models on its platform matches those running on global premium GPUs. This access is facilitated through Huawei's Ascend cloud service, utilizing its home-grown Ascend solution for compute resources. This solution incorporates a variety of hardware, that includes self-developed server clusters, AI modules, and also accelerator cards.
SiliconFlow, responsible for hosting the DeepSeek models, has announced competitive pricing for accessing these powerful AI tools. Accessing V3 is priced at just 1 yuan (US$0.13) for 1 million input tokens and 2 yuan for 1 million output tokens. The R1 model is available for 4 yuan and 16 yuan, respectively. This affordable access is poised to drive innovation and adoption of AI technologies across various sectors in China.
The open-source DeepSeek models are rapidly gaining traction both in China and the United States. Microsoft has recently introduced support for R1 on its Azure cloud-computing platform and GitHub, enabling clients to develop AI applications that can run locally on Copilot+ personal computers. Amazon.com has also integrated R1 into Amazon Web Services, allowing developers to create applications with this "powerful, cost-efficient" model.
Huawei's Ascend cloud service leverages its proprietary Ascend solution to provide the necessary compute resources for running these complex AI models. While Huawei and SiliconFlow have not disclosed the specific chips used in the Ascend cloud service, it is understood that the solution incorporates a range of hardware, including Huawei's self-developed server clusters, AI modules, and accelerator cards, to provide a robust and efficient platform for AI development and deployment.
This collaboration between Huawei and SiliconFlow showcases China's commitment to fostering domestic AI innovation. By providing affordable access to advanced AI models and leveraging home-grown technologies, China is taking significant strides towards achieving greater autonomy in the AI domain. This initiative is likely to fuel further advancements in AI research and development, driving economic growth and enhancing China's competitiveness in the global technology arena.
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