Tencent's messaging app Weixin tests AI search with DeepSeek-R1

Tencent's Weixin, one of China's major messaging and social media apps, has launched beta testing of a groundbreaking integration with DeepSeek-R1, the reasoning AI model from the country's hottest artificial intelligence (AI) startup, in a strategic bid to supercharge its search capabilities.

Tencent confirmed with CGTN Digital on Sunday that select users of Weixin's search function now see an "AI Search" entry point, granting free access to the full-strength version of the DeepSeek-R1 model – the same AI tool that has sparked a frenzy among tech giants and users worldwide.

DeepSeek is being tested by Weixin, which serves domestic users, not its sister app WeChat, which targets overseas users.

The integration comes as DeepSeek rides a wave of global demand. Its R1 model, celebrated for its versatility in handling complex queries, has become a viral sensation since its debut on January 20. However, its runaway success has strained servers, with users on social media complaining about delays and outages on DeepSeek's official platform.

Major cloud providers, including AWS, Google Cloud and Alibaba, have raced to integrate the R1 model in recent weeks, with some offering limited free access to lure developers. Tencent's decision to embed the tool directly into Weixin – a super-app with nearly 1.4 billion monthly users – could ease pressure on DeepSeek's infrastructure while giving the messaging giant a critical edge.

(With input from Reuters)