Huawei, Honor integrate DeepSeek AI to select devices in China

Following Huawei’s announcement of adopting DeepSeek R1 AI model to its Celia voice assistant, Honor does the same with its YOYO Assistant.

For context, DeepSeek R1 is a newly launched Chinese AI LLM (large language model) which reportedly goes on par with OpenAI’s o1 model. Additionally, it is an open-source AI chatbot that can reportedly run even without an internet connection.

According to a report from Huawei Central, Huawei released the first DeepSeek R1 beta—integrated with the Celia app—for devices running HarmonyOS NEXT. Meanwhile, Honor released its DeepSeek R1-powered YOYO Assistant to devices running MagicOS 8.0 and above.

A short description from a DeepSeek R1 screen reads, “I am an intelligent agent based on the open-source version of the DeepSeek-R1, dedicated to bringing users an immersive deep thinking experience, helping users to dig deeper and gain insight into the essence in the process of exploring knowledge, solving problems, and stimulating creativity.”

The report further claims that aside from Huawei and Honor, more phone makers are expected to join the DeepSeek AI bandwagon. But, that remains to be seen considering the US had recently passed a bill penalizing use of DeepSeek and even other Chinese AI in the country.

Inquirer.net reports that violators could face up to 20 years of jail time and fines ranging up to USD 100 million.

US authorities argue that dependence on Chinese AI products, DeepSeek in particular, could have a backdoor to massive amounts of US data.

Currently, other Chinese phone makers such as Xiaomi and BBK Electronics, (Oppo, vivo, OnePlus) are using Google’s Gemini AI chatbot for their global devices. And if Huawei Central is to be believed, the adoption of DeepSeek AI likely happens only within China.

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