DeepSeek launches upgraded AI system with stronger agent capability
With the V3.1 upgrade now live and the R1 label missing, observers are debating whether DeepSeek has postponed or abandoned its R2 reasoning model entirely.
DeepSeek has released a minor upgrade, V3.1, yet conspicuously omitted any R1 label from its chatbot, leading to speculation over the status of the promised R2 model.
The V3.1 version includes improvements such as an expanded 128K token context window for holding more information per interaction, but lacks major innovation beyond that. Observers note that the absence of R1 suggests that DeepSeek may be reworking its roadmap or shifting focus.
Industry watchers point to the gap this update left, especially in light of delays reported for the R2 model, which has faced technical setbacks due to hardware issues and training challenges with domestic chips. Competitors are now gaining ground as a result.
With no official statement from DeepSeek and a quieter-than-usual announcement, delivered only to a WeChat user group, analysts are questioning whether the company is rethinking its product sequencing or concealing delays in rolling out the next-generation R2 reasoning model.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!