DeepSeek Tops iPhone App Charts: A New Contender in AI Chatbots
DeepSeek, a mobile AI application developed by a Chinese company, has overtaken OpenAI's ChatGPT to claim the number one spot on the iPhone free app charts in both China and the United States. This achievement comes shortly after the release of its groundbreaking \"reasoning model,\" DeepSeek R1.
A Leap in AI Reasoning
When users activate the \"DeepThink (R1)\" mode, DeepSeek showcases its \"thinking process\" before delivering responses. This feature allows the application to tackle complex logical and mathematical problems, providing users with more profound and accurate answers. According to DeepSeek's official website, the R1 model's performance is \"on par with\" OpenAI-o1, while operating at approximately one-thirtieth of its rival's cost.
Open Access and Community Engagement
DeepSeek distinguishes itself by offering both its mobile app and web chatbot free for general use, with only API calls for programmers requiring payment. Furthermore, the company has made its full-size model available for free download, enabling users with adequate hardware to run it locally. For those with less powerful devices, scaled-down versions optimized for a range of systems—from ultra-thin laptops to high-performance gaming rigs—are also provided.
In addition to providing free access, DeepSeek has published a research paper detailing the development of the R1 model. This transparency allows other developers to replicate the process using their own training data, fostering innovation and collaboration within the AI community.
Industry Reactions
The release of the R1 model has garnered significant attention 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 witnessed, calling it \"a profound gift to the world.\"
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas remarked that \"DeepSeek has largely replicated OpenAI-o1-mini and has open-sourced it,\" highlighting the significance of this development.
Jim Fan, a senior research manager at Nvidia, praised DeepSeek as a company that is upholding the 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 signaling any particular nation's dominance in AI.
Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China, expressed a sense of vindication, noting that DeepSeek's achievements validate his belief in China's potential to excel in generative AI engineering.
Championing Innovation in China
In a recent interview with 36kr.com, DeepSeek CEO Liang Wenfeng stressed the importance of China moving beyond the stereotype of being an adopter rather than an innovator of technology. He asserted that as China's economy continues to grow, the country should transition into a global leader in innovation.
Liang highlighted that genuine innovation stems from curiosity and the pursuit of new knowledge, not just business success. He revealed that the DeepSeek team comprises young talent and that their earlier V2 model was developed without any overseas contributors.
\"Perhaps the top 50 talents in this field are not in China,\" Liang said. \"But we can cultivate our own.\"
Implications for the AI Landscape
DeepSeek's rise to the top of the app charts signals a shift in the AI chatbot arena. By prioritizing open access, cost-effectiveness, and community engagement, DeepSeek presents a formidable challenge to established AI giants. Its success could inspire more innovation and democratization in the field, benefiting users and developers worldwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
