Chinese Startup Moonshot Launches Kimi K2, Claims Superiority Over ChatGPT

Beijing, China – Chinese startup Moonshot launched its latest generative artificial intelligence model, Kimi K2 Thinking, on Thursday. The company claims Kimi K2 can outperform OpenAI’s ChatGPT in understanding user intent without requiring detailed steps.

Moonshot, backed by Alibaba, aims to redefine AI capabilities with this innovative model. According to the company, Kimi K2 can automatically select between 200 to 300 tools to complete tasks independently, significantly reducing the need for human input.

The development arrives amid ongoing competition in the AI arena, particularly between U.S. and Chinese firms. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, highlighted the heightened rivalry this week, emphasizing that some Chinese AI models have emerged as credible and often lower-cost alternatives to those offered by OpenAI.

Despite restrictions imposed by the U.S. on high-end chips for Chinese companies, firms like DeepSeek have managed to launch AI models that are open-sourced or available for a fraction of ChatGPT’s price. DeepSeek recently unveiled a model that claims improved performance by integrating visual information into its processing, boasting abilities that enhance contextual understanding.

The training cost for Moonshot’s Kimi K2 Thinking was approximately $4.6 million, based on insider information. However, CNBC could not independently confirm the figures reported by Moonshot or DeepSeek.