Tech Desk 
Feb 16, 2025
Tencent’s Weixin app, China's biggest messaging platform, has started beta testing DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered search model. This is a major move by Tencent as companies in China compete to adopt the latest artificial intelligence technology.
A Tencent spokesperson confirmed on Sunday that some Weixin users can now access DeepSeek AI through the app’s search function. This decision is significant as it allows Weixin to integrate an external AI platform instead of relying solely on Tencent’s own technology.
Weixin and DeepSeek collaboration
Weixin, which is used by over 1.38 billion users in China, has long relied on Tencent’s Hunyuan AI model for its search features.
However, Tencent is now expanding its AI capabilities by testing DeepSeek integration in multiple products, including Tencent Cloud AI Code Assistant and Tencent Yuanbao, another AI-powered assistant.
China’s AI industry is growing fast, with many tech companies working to compete with global AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Last month, DeepSeek launched an AI assistant that quickly gained popularity, surpassing ChatGPT in downloads from Apple’s App Store.
DeepSeek’s impact on AI growth in China
Other companies are also exploring DeepSeek AI, including automaker Great Wall Motor and leading telecom firms. In a separate announcement, Baidu said it would fully integrate DeepSeek with its search engine alongside its own Ernie AI model.
