DeepSeek Surpasses ChatGPT on iPhone Charts: A New Challenger in AI Emerges
In a surprising turn of events, DeepSeek, a mobile AI application developed in China, has soared past OpenAI's ChatGPT to claim the top spot on the iPhone free app charts in both China and the United States. This milestone marks a significant moment in the global AI landscape, highlighting the rise of new contenders in the field of artificial intelligence.
The ascendancy of DeepSeek comes shortly after the launch of its latest \"reasoning model,\" DeepSeek R1. This model introduces a \"DeepThink\" mode, allowing the app to display its \"thinking process\" before generating responses. By unveiling the steps it takes to reach conclusions, DeepSeek enables users to delve deeper into complex logical and mathematical problems, bridging the gap between AI reasoning and human understanding.
According to the company's official website, the performance of the R1 model is \"on par with\" OpenAI-o1, yet operates at a fraction of the cost—approximately one-thirtieth of its rival's operational expenses. This combination of high performance and cost-effectiveness has positioned DeepSeek as an accessible tool for a broad audience.
Emphasizing its commitment to openness, DeepSeek offers its mobile app and web chatbot for free general use, with only API calls for programmers requiring payment. Furthermore, the company has made its full-size model available for free download. Users with sufficient hardware can run it locally, while those with less powerful devices can opt for scaled-down versions optimized for various platforms, from ultra-thin laptops to high-performance gaming rigs.
In a move that reinforces collaborative innovation, DeepSeek has also published a research paper detailing the development of R1. This transparency allows other developers to replicate the process using their own training data, potentially accelerating advancements in the AI community.
Global Reactions to DeepSeek's Breakthrough
The release of the R1 model has sent ripples through the AI industry, eliciting enthusiastic responses from leading figures around the world.
Marc Andreessen, venture capitalist and co-founder of Netscape, hailed DeepSeek R1 on X.com as \"one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs\" he has witnessed, describing it as \"a profound gift to the world.\"
Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, remarked on X.com that \"DeepSeek has largely replicated OpenAI-o1-mini and has open-sourced it,\" underscoring the significance of DeepSeek's contribution to open-source AI development.
Jim Fan, a senior research manager at Nvidia, commended DeepSeek as a company that is honoring the mission of conducting \"truly open, frontier research that empowers all,\" highlighting the importance of accessibility in AI advancements.
Yann LeCun, Meta's chief AI scientist, pointed out that DeepSeek's success demonstrates how \"open-source models are surpassing proprietary ones,\" signaling a shift toward more collaborative approaches in AI research.
Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China, expressed a sense of fulfillment, stating that the DeepSeek releases validate his belief in China's potential to excel in generative AI engineering.
Championing Innovation: Insights from DeepSeek's CEO
In a July 2024 interview with 36kr.com, DeepSeek CEO Liang Wenfeng articulated his vision for China's role in global innovation. He emphasized that China must move beyond the perception of merely adapting foreign technologies and strive to become a leading contributor to global advancements.
\"Innovation comes from genuine curiosity, not just the pursuit of business success,\" Liang stated. He revealed that DeepSeek's team is comprised of young talent and that the development of the company's earlier V2 model was achieved without overseas contributors.
\"Perhaps the top 50 talents in this field are not in China,\" Liang acknowledged. \"But we can cultivate our own.\"
Liang's perspective reflects a broader ambition for fostering homegrown expertise and elevating China's position in the rapidly evolving AI sector.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
