According to TechCrunch AI, the launch of these Asian AI models highlights the growing fragmentation of the global AI ecosystem, driven by geopolitical tensions and export controls. While Sakana AI’s Fugu is framed as a practical hedge against reliance on US models, its emphasis on orchestration suggests a strategic pivot toward interoperability rather than outright competition. Meanwhile, 360’s Tulongfeng appears to target a niche in cybersecurity, leveraging the export ban to position itself as a national strategic asset. The key question is whether these models can sustain momentum beyond the current geopolitical moment or if they’ll remain regional alternatives in a still-US-dominated field.