Demand is rising for Chinese open-source AI models that are relatively cheaper while offering performance close to OpenAI and Anthropic, with interest spreading to major U.S. tech firms. Coinbase is testing Chinese open-weight models as defaults in its LLM gateway. Databricks’ Yu Chen Jin called GLM-5.2 an “open-source Claude moment.” Axios reported Microsoft is reviewing DeepSeek V4 fine-tuned and other open-source models as alternatives.

Microsoft is moving its enterprise AI tool Copilot Cowork to a usage-based pricing model, Axios reported on Monday. It is also weighing self-hosting DeepSeek as a cheaper model option, though adding a Chinese AI company’s model could draw criticism, Axios said. Agent tools repeatedly call AI models while completing tasks, boosting productivity but sharply increasing costs. Microsoft is reviewing a fine-tuned DeepSeek V4 and other open-source models.