Businesses are experimenting with cheaper Chinese AI models as U.S. rivals get more expensive

AI has become a focal point within the Trump administration, often framed as a two-player race between the U.S. and China. And while U.S. companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic may have developed some of the world’s most advanced AI models, they are among the priciest. As costs associated with token and AI usage rise, now some consumer-facing companies are turning to China’s cheaper, open-source models. 

Take for example DoorDash, which, according to a post on X on Wednesday by co-founder and CTO Andy Fang, will be launching DoorDash CLI, an experimental tool in limited beta that will allow users to order DoorDash through an AI agent, or even directly from the terminal. Earlier this month, Fang said using a model from Chinese startup Moonshot AI is “better quality” and comes at a “cheaper cost.”

DoorDash is far from the first to turn to Chinese AI companies, or Moonshot for...