DeepSeek Publicizes Efforts to Challenge Anthropic’s Claude Code

DeepSeek has created an official WeChat account for its new 'DeepSeek Harness Team' and posted job listings to develop AI agents that can compete with Anthropic PBC's Claude Code, according to Bloomberg. The Hangzhou-based AI startup also updated its flagship V4 Pro model with better agentic capabilities on Wednesday. This move intensifies the rivalry between Chinese and US firms in the emerging market for AI agents that automate business work.

Bloomberg -- 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 PBC's popular Claude Code. Most Read from Bloomberg - Phoebe Gates Knew Phia Shopping App Took Credit for Sales It Didn't Drive https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-11/phia-app-co-founders-pushed-for-features-taking-credit-for-sales-it-didn-t-drive?utm campaign=bn&utm medium=distro&utm source=yahooUS - Trump Weighs Call for Capital Gains Tax Cuts as Midterm Boost https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-11/trump-weighs-call-for-capital-gains-tax-cuts-as-midterm-boost?utm campaign=bn&utm medium=distro&utm source=yahooUS - Tata Sons Chairman to Step Down, Deepening Leadership Turmoil https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-12/tata-sons-chair-chandra-steps-down-leaving-group-leaderless?utm campaign=bn&utm medium=distro&utm source=yahooUS - Epstein Victim Files Cleared for Release Over Maxwell's Protest https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-12/epstein-victim-files-cleared-for-release-over-maxwell-s-protest?utm campaign=bn&utm medium=distro&utm source=yahooUS The Hangzhou-based company has created an account for its "DeepSeek Harness Team" on WeChat, China's super-app operated by Tencent Holdings Ltd. 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 with better agentic capabilities late Wednesday, according to an announcement in an official company chat channel on WeChat. Chinese firms are locked in a heated rivalry with US developers to build more advanced — and affordable — artificial intelligence tools. While OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot helped kick off the global AI race, many companies have since focused more on the lucrative emerging market for AI agents that can help automate 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 Wednesday that the company had created the new WeChat account. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek - ICE Arrests Are Pushing Immigrant Families Deeper Into Poverty https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-11/ice-arrests-are-pushing-immigrant-families-deeper-into-poverty?utm campaign=bw&utm medium=distro&utm source=yahooUS - Suno Says AI Is the Future of Music. Record Labels Say It's Theft https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-08-11/suno-stares-down-universal-and-sony-to-reshape-the-future-of-music?utm campaign=bw&utm medium=distro&utm source=yahooUS - Supercharged by Social Media, the GLP-1 Boom Is Warping Teen Psyches https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-08-10/youtube-tiktok-glp-1-content-has-teens-obsessing-over-their-health-bodies?utm campaign=bw&utm medium=distro&utm source=yahooUS ©2026 Bloomberg L.P.