DeepSeek publicises efforts to challenge rivals like Anthropic

DeepSeek has launched a WeChat account for its new 'DeepSeek Harness Team' and posted job listings to build AI agents that compete with Anthropic's Claude Code, according to a Bloomberg report. The Hangzhou-based AI startup also updated its flagship V4 Pro model with better agentic capabilities on Wednesday, Aug 12, intensifying the rivalry with US developers in the AI agent market.

DeepSeek publicises efforts to challenge rivals like Anthropic It is recruiting for a new team that helps build AI agents that take on services like Claude code BEIJING DeepSeek has set up an official social media account and posted job listings for a new team focused on helping develop artificial intelligence agents that can take on services like Anthropic’s popular Claude code. The Hangzhou-based company has created an account for its “DeepSeek Harness Team” on WeChat, China’s super-app operated by Tencent Holdings. The account belongs to a Beijing-based entity, which Chinese corporate database Qichacha identifies as controlled by DeepSeek, and has been verified by Tencent. The term harness refers to the software scaffolding that wraps around a large language model that enable AI agents to manage more complex tasks. Anthropic and other developers have designed harnesses to make their software better at streamlining coding and other work. DeepSeek is also recruiting several roles for its harness team. In one job posting, the company said it is trying to turn its models into cutting-edge agentic products. Separately, the AI startup updated its flagship V4 Pro model https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/startups-tech/startups/deepseek-unveils-flagship-ai-model-year-after-breakthrough with better agentic capabilities late on Wednesday Aug 12 , according to an announcement in an official company chat channel on WeChat. Chinese firms are locked in a heated rivalry https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/us-and-chinas-ai-race-will-define-century with US developers to build more advanced – and affordable https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/startups-tech/technology/cheaper-ai-better-soaring-bills-are-reshaping-how-businesses-choose-models – AI tools. SEE ALSO While OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot helped kick off the global AI race https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/global/ai-race-sends-big-techs-capital-spending-stratospheric-high , many companies have since focused more on the lucrative emerging market for AI agents https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/generative-agentic-ai-business-value-context-control-elastic that can help automate work https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/when-should-we-let-autonomous-ai-agent-do-work for business professionals. DeepSeek did not respond to a request for comment after normal business hours. Several Chinese news outlets including Jiemian noted earlier on Wednesday that the company had created the new WeChat account. BLOOMBERG Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free. Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services TRENDING NOW /pulse?ref=trending-now How BYD disrupted Singapore’s car market – and why the strategy is turning on itself Vietnam seeks US$76 billion a year from capital markets to ease reliance on banks Too little, too late? Manila’s billion-dollar bid to ignite its sputtering EV industry Two-thirds of Sentosa Cove resales in the red, with average loss topping S$1 million since 2023