Coding remains the biggest battleground in the generative AI market in 2026. Competition among leading AI model makers in coding AI appears to be intensifying from the start of the year. After Anthropic and OpenAI, China AI startup DeepSeek is also expected to make coding a key theme in its next-generation V4 model to be unveiled soon. Tests run by DeepSeek employees based on internal benchmarks show V4 outperforms existing models such as Anthropic's Claude and OpenAI's GPT series in coding capability.

• DeepSeek's next-generation AI model V4 launch nears, setting stage for fierce coding AI competition

A Microsoft survey found DeepSeek model usage surged across China, Russia and Africa. DeepSeek usage in Africa is estimated to be 2 to 4 times higher than in other regions.

• "Digital divide deepens as AI adoption spreads... DeepSeek expansion also stands out"

Anthropic's AI coding tool Claude Code is also spreading rapidly, centered on Silicon Valley. Claude Code, which charges based on usage, has already topped $1 billion in annualized revenue. Even Google engineers, a rival to Anthropic, are said to be using Claude Code.

• Silicon Valley swept by Claude Code boom... "Even Google engineers use it"

Security concerns around AI-written code persist. Security startup Tenzai said a cyberattack simulation study targeting shopping malls, forums and file-sharing sites built with AI coding tools found websites created with major AI coding tools such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Cursor, Replit and Devin were vulnerable to hacking attacks.

• "Code written by AI is vulnerable to hacking"... Security startup Tenzai warns

Beyond DeepSeek, growth at other Chinese AI companies also stands out. Chinese social media company Kuaishou Technology said its AI-based video generation tool Kling AI generated $20 million in revenue in December alone last year. Annualized revenue, which was around $100 million as of March, is said to have increased to $240 million, a rare growth rate in the industry. Alibaba Cloud's open-source AI model Qwen series recorded overwhelming usage in the global developer ecosystem and has established itself as the world's largest open-source AI.

• Kuaishou's AI video tool Kling tops $20 million in revenue in December alone • China's Alibaba's Qwen passes 700 million downloads... ranks No. 1 among open-source AI models

The global security market is seeing brisk merger and acquisition activity from the start of the year. Large security companies are leading the trend. CrowdStrike will acquire browser security startup Seraphic Security for $400 million as part of efforts to strengthen defenses against web-based cyberattacks. CrowdStrike recently announced it would also acquire SGNL for $740 million. ThreatModeler will acquire Spain-based cybersecurity startup IriusRisk as part of efforts to strengthen AI-based threat modeling.

• CrowdStrike in another M&A... to buy browser security firm Seraphic for $400 million • CrowdStrike to acquire identity security firm SGNL for $740 million • ThreatModeler acquires IriusRisk... expands AI-based threat modeling • Global security market sees M&A heat led by large players from the start of the year

Moves by tech companies at home and abroad to develop or use AI directly continued this week.

OpenAI appears to be aggressively pushing into healthcare with ChatGPT. OpenAI recently acquired medical data integration AI startup Torch in a $100 million stock transaction. Torch's team and technology will be integrated into OpenAI's ChatGPT Health project. ChatGPT Health supports users in managing medical records and analyzing health conditions through a chatbot.

• OpenAI acquires healthcare startup Torch for $100 million • OpenAI adds 'health hub' to ChatGPT... links wearable devices for tailored health advice

Google launched a Personal Intelligence feature, an AI tool that provides tailored answers by analyzing personal data such as Gmail and Google Photos. Personal Intelligence automatically analyzes data across various apps, including email, photos and videos, even without direct user instructions, to understand context and deliver personalized answers. Google also introduced a vertical video creation feature through its Veo 3.1 AI video generation model. Google also announced a new open standard, Universal Commerce Protocol, for AI agent-based commerce. Microsoft also added new shopping features to Copilot, moving in earnest into the AI-based e-commerce market.

• Google launches Personal Intelligence in Gemini app... "Understands email and photo context on its own" • Google updates Veo 3.1... adds vertical video feature to AI video generation • Google announces Universal Commerce Protocol... expands AI agent-based commerce • Microsoft adds direct purchasing feature to Copilot

Anthropic unveiled Cowork, an easier version of Claude Code. Built into the Claude desktop app, Cowork allows AI to read and edit files in a folder designated by the user, while additional instructions can be given through a regular chat interface. It is similar to a sandbox version of Claude Code, but setup is much simpler. Anthropic is pushing broad cooperation with German insurer Allianz on generative AI.

• Anthropic introduces 'Cowork' to support AI work without code in Claude Code • Anthropic accelerates push into enterprise AI market... cooperates with Allianz

Apple joined hands with Google to strengthen AI functions. It also tested OpenAI and Anthropic technology, but ultimately chose Google Gemini. The two companies are reported to have signed a deal worth 1 trillion won.

• Apple strengthens AI functions including Siri with Google Cloud and Gemini models

Salesforce officially launched an upgraded version of its AI-based Slackbot. The Slackbot update is designed to strengthen work automation beyond simple notification functions. It supports corporate data analysis, summaries and external application integration, beyond existing file search.

• Salesforce officially releases upgraded Slackbot... strengthens work automation capabilities

Coxwave, the operator of AI product analytics platform Align, raised 7 billion won in a pre-Series A round. AX specialist PlanAI officially launched Planee, an AI conversational website solution that shifts website navigation from clicks and search to conversation, as a SaaS product. Legal AI solutions company BHSN opened an intelligent legal AI service, AI:Yul, in cooperation with law firm Yulchon.

• AI product analytics platform Coxwave raises 7 billion won in pre-Series A funding • PlanAI officially launches AI conversational website solution 'Planee SaaS' • BHSN and law firm Yulchon launch legal AI 'AI:Yul' in earnest

LG CNS is pursuing the physical AI market, which fuses the real world and AI including robots, as a core strategy for 2025. In particular, LG CNS aims to advance robots into entities that can perform real work well in the field, based on years of on-site experience centered on manufacturing and logistics, along with AI and system integration capabilities. Nvidia also expanded a strategic partnership with Siemens at the CES 2026 IT and consumer electronics show in Las Vegas and is accelerating the application of AI in actual industrial sites.

• LG CNS launches major physical AI push... "Automate high value-added tasks with robots" • Nvidia-Siemens expand all-AI manufacturing infrastructure alliance... broaden GPU-based digital twins

Zeta, an AI fiction platform operated by South Korean generative AI startup ScatterLab, saw monthly revenue in Japan exceed 1.1 billion won for the first time in December last year.

• ScatterLab's AI fiction platform Zeta tops 1.1 billion won in Japan revenue in December

Growth at voice AI companies also stands out. Voice AI startup ElevenLabs recorded $330 million in annual recurring revenue as of the end of 2025. The company said it reached $100 million in ARR in 20 months after its 2022 founding, then exceeded $300 million five months later. Real-time voice AI startup Deepgram, after raising $130 million in a Series C round, will also acquire AI voice startup OfOne.

• ElevenLabs posts strong growth in voice AI... "Annual recurring revenue topped $330 million last year" • Voice AI startup Deepgram raises $130 million... expands to drive-thrus

Results of the first evaluation of 5 elite teams participating in the government's project to develop an independent foundation model will be released on the afternoon of Jan. 15. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to eliminate 1 consortium out of 5 through the first evaluation. It will then conduct evaluations every six months, reducing the number from 4 teams to 3 in June 2026, and selecting a final 2 teams in December 2026.

• One independent foundation model team near elimination... last-minute nerve war

As leading AI companies speed up efforts to target the web browser market, attention is focused on whether they will bring meaningful changes to the browser experience and industry landscape. OpenAI and Perplexity last year respectively unveiled their own web browsers, ChatGPT Atlas and Comet. Microsoft has also deployed Copilot AI in the Edge browser, allowing users to ask a chatbot questions alongside the content they are viewing.

• Will it really change... Round 2 of AI-driven reshaping of the browser market