DeepSeek, a mobile AI application developed in China, has recently surpassed OpenAI's ChatGPT to claim the top spot on the iPhone free app charts in both China and the United States. This significant achievement comes shortly after the launch of its \"reasoning model,\" DeepSeek R1, signaling a potential shift in the global AI landscape.
When users activate the \"DeepThink (R1)\" mode, DeepSeek displays its \"thinking process\" before generating responses. This feature allows the app to tackle complex logical and mathematical problems, offering users a more transparent and insightful AI experience. According to DeepSeek's official website, the R1 model's performance is \"on par with\" OpenAI-o1, while operating at approximately one-thirtieth of the cost.
DeepSeek's commitment to accessibility is evident in its decision to offer the mobile app and web chatbot free for general use, with only API calls for programmers requiring payment. Additionally, the company has made its full-size model available for free download, enabling users with sufficient hardware to run it locally. For those with less powerful devices, DeepSeek provides scaled-down versions optimized for a range of hardware, from ultra-thin laptops to high-performance gaming rigs.
Beyond offering free access, DeepSeek has published a research paper detailing the development of R1, empowering other developers to replicate the process using their own training data. This open-source approach has garnered significant attention and praise within the AI community.
The AI Community Reacts
The release of the R1 model has elicited strong reactions from prominent figures in the AI industry. Marc Andreessen, venture capitalist and co-founder of Netscape, described DeepSeek R1 on X.com as \"one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs\" he has ever seen, calling it \"a profound gift to the world.\"
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas noted that \"DeepSeek has largely replicated OpenAI-o1-mini and has open-sourced it,\" highlighting the significance of DeepSeek's contributions to the field.
Jim Fan, a senior research manager at Nvidia, praised DeepSeek as a \"non-U.S. company\" that is upholding OpenAI's original mission of conducting \"truly open, frontier research that empowers all.\"
Yann LeCun, Meta's chief AI scientist, emphasized that DeepSeek's success underscores how \"open-source models are surpassing proprietary ones,\" rather than signifying any national dominance in AI innovation.
Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China, expressed a sense of vindication, stating that the DeepSeek releases validate his belief in China's potential to excel in generative AI engineering.
DeepSeek CEO: China as an Innovator
In an interview with 36kr.com, DeepSeek CEO Liang Wenfeng argued that China must move beyond the stereotype of merely applying U.S. innovations. As the country's economy grows, he believes it should transition into a global contributor to innovation rather than relying on the advancements of others.
Liang emphasized that innovation stems not only from the pursuit of business success but also from genuine curiosity. He revealed that the DeepSeek team is composed of young talent and that the development of the company's earlier V2 model did not involve any overseas Chinese contributors.
\"Perhaps the top 50 talents in this field are not in China,\" Liang said. \"But we can cultivate our own.\"
DeepSeek's rapid ascent reflects a broader trend toward open-source AI development and highlights the potential for innovation emerging from China. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, DeepSeek's approach may influence how technology companies worldwide pursue research and development.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
