DeepSeek has become China's most expensive AI startup.

The Chinese company DeepSeek has become the most expensive startup in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country after attracting $7.4 billion in investments. Now its value is estimated at $50 billion. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported this on June 16, citing sources.

"China's DeepSeek raised more than $7.4 billion in the first round of financing.<....> Investors valued the company at more than $50 billion, <...> making it the most expensive AI startup in the country," the material says.

According to the newspaper's sources, the company's founder, Liang Wenfeng, owned almost 90% of DeepSeek's shares before the financing round. As part of the deal, he invested about $3 billion, which was the largest investment among the participants in the round.

The WSJ's interlocutors also reported that the Chinese National Investment Fund for the Artificial Intelligence Industry, established with the support of the Chinese government, has sent about $150 million to the company. WeChat messenger company Tencent has invested $1.5 billion in DeepSeek, and battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology has invested $740 million.

According to the newspaper, DeepSeek intends to use the raised funds to develop research and development, as well as expand the computing infrastructure. At the same time, some investors advocate finding new ways to monetize the company's products.

The sources added that DeepSeek is strengthening teams working on AI agents capable of automating complex tasks.

Models in a row: the ban on Anthropic AI will stimulate the development of such software worldwide

Will this strengthen the digital sovereignty of other countries?

On June 2, Anthropic became the world's most expensive AI startup, overtaking its competitor OpenAI in business valuation. The developer announced the raising of $65 billion in a new investment round. As a result, the valuation of Anthropic, including investments, amounted to $ 965 billion. For comparison, OpenAI's latest estimate reached $730 billion.

However, later, on June 13, Anthropic announced that it had suspended access to its AI models Fable 5 and Mythos 5 after receiving an order from the US authorities, citing national security concerns. The company stressed that it fulfills the requirements, but does not agree with the decision and expects to restore access to the services in the near future. Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, amid restrictions on access to the company's advanced AI models, said that Washington did the right thing when it "kicked out the company" Anthropic from its military department.