DeepSeek Launches Official V4 Pro Model

DeepSeek formally released its official V4 Pro model on August 13, 2026, making the DeepSeek-V4-Pro-0813 available through API, APP and Web channels. The company said the model greatly enhances agent capabilities as it steps up its global expansion.

DeepSeek also announced it will raise API pricing for its V4 Pro and V4 Flash models and introduce peak and off-peak pricing structures.

Notably, DeepSeek’s cheaper V4 Flash model unexpectedly outperformed the April preview of V4 Pro in several independent tests, adding to the company’s momentum in the market.

Rising Valuations and Past Momentum

The V4 Pro launch comes as DeepSeek’s valuation continues to climb. Reuters reported in July 2026 that the company was planning a new fundraising round at a valuation of approximately $74 billion. This follows the company’s first outside financing round in June 2026, which raised approximately $7.4 billion.

DeepSeek’s earlier R1 model went viral in early 2025, raising questions about whether powerful AI systems could be built at much lower cost than those of U.S. rivals.

Google DeepMind Leadership Overhaul

Meanwhile, Google has appointed Koray Kavukcuoglu as head of Google DeepMind, effective immediately. Kavukcuoglu will report directly to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and will oversee Gemini model development, frontier AI research, and the Gemini app and developer teams.

The leadership shuffle comes as Gemini 3.5 Pro has been reported as months behind schedule.

Jeff Dean Exits Google After 27 Years

In a separate development, Jeff Dean left Google after 27 years to start a new company called Discovery Loop with several top researchers.

Source: Reuters via Investing.com