The American company OpenAI has accused the Chinese startup DeepSeek of using its proprietary AI models. According to reports by the British newspaper "Financial Times" on Wednesday, these models were allegedly used to train the artificial intelligence developed by the Chinese company.

If the most sought-after AI chips aren't as vital as previously thought, an entire ecosystem built around massive AI investment could be in jeopardy.

OpenAI claims that Chinese startups are persistently trying to copy the technology of American AI companies. Aligned with that, OpenAI says it and partner Microsoft have been banning accounts suspected of “distilling” its models.

SoftBank reportedly is in talks to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI and become the ChatGPT creator’s largest investor.

A new investment from the Japanese conglomerate would be separate from the $100 billion tied to a project announced at the White House last week.