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Openai has focused its high-profile AI startups under radar, which it believes is the “frontline” of China’s “frontline” competition in AI, not Deepseek.
exist Blog Posts On Wednesday, the company wrote that Beijing-backed Zhipu AI has made “significant progress” in the AI competition as global competition intensifies.
Zhipu AI was founded in 2019 and domestic media have called it one of China’s “AI Tigers,” a class of large language model unicorns seen as key to Beijing’s efforts to compete with the United States and reduce its reliance on American technology..
Although “AI Tiger” DeepSeek has received a share of international attention after the release of the R1 model in January, Openai suggests Zhipu’s expansion outside of China and its ties to Beijing should receive more attention.
According to state media, the startup has raised funds from several local governments. “Zhipu AI leadership often interacts with officials from CCP officials, including Prime Minister Lee Qiang,” Openai claimed.
Zhipu AI It is said that It has offices in the Middle East, the UK, Singapore and Malaysia, and also operates a joint “Innovation Centre” project in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Vietnam.
These factors may make Zhipu AI play a key role in China’s “Digital Silk Road” strategy, as it provides AI infrastructure solutions to governments around the world.
“The aim is to lock Chinese systems and standards into emerging markets in front of us or European competitors, while demonstrating a responsible, transparent and auditable alternative to China AI,” Openai said.
Zhipu AI did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Openai’s statement. However, last week, Zhipu AI Chairman Liu Debing Tell reporters The company hopes to contribute China’s artificial intelligence power to the world.
These goals represent a threat to OpenAI, which has gained support from Washington to promote its basic model as the world’s preferred AI product.
During a visit to the UAE in May, U.S. President Donald Trump announced more than $200 billion in business deals in the region, including One for building the UAE AI campus By Openai, Oracle,,,,, Nvidia and Cisco Systems. It is expected to be launched in 2026.
The Stargate project is an AI-focused private sector investment vehicle announced in January by Openai in partnership with Abu Dhabi investment company MGX and Japan’s SoftBank.
This month, Openai was also awarded Contract $200 million Provides artificial intelligence tools to the U.S. Department of Defense and announces “Open for the government“Initiative aimed at bringing its AI tools to civil servants in the United States
It is said that Zhipu also cooperates with the domestic military to help the Chinese military modernize through advanced artificial intelligence. additional List of entities to the U.S. Department of Commerce in January.
The company has It is said that The initial steps to start an IPO were initiated. According to the previous value, it was RMB 20 billion (US$2.78 billion). Local media reports.
