DeepSeek, a mobile AI application developed in the Chinese mainland, 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 significant milestone comes shortly after the launch of DeepSeek's new \"reasoning model,\" DeepSeek R1.
When users activate the \"DeepThink (R1)\" mode, the app showcases its \"thinking process\" before generating responses. This feature enables the application to tackle complex logical and mathematical problems, offering users deeper insights into problem-solving methods. According to DeepSeek's official website, the R1 model's performance is \"on par with\" OpenAI-o1, while its operational cost is approximately one-thirtieth of its rival's.
The mobile app and web chatbot are currently free for general use, with only API calls for programmers requiring payment. Additionally, DeepSeek has made its full-size model available for free download, allowing users with sufficient hardware to run it locally. For devices with less computing power, the company offers scaled-down versions of the model, optimized for everything from ultra-thin laptops to high-performance gaming rigs.
Beyond providing free access to its models, DeepSeek has also published a research paper detailing the development of R1. This transparency enables other developers to replicate the process using their own training data, fostering a collaborative environment in the AI community.
The AI Community Reacts
The release of the R1 model has reverberated throughout the AI industry, drawing noteworthy reactions from prominent figures.
Marc Andreessen, venture capitalist and co-founder of Netscape, described DeepSeek R1 on social media platform X.com as \"one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs\" he has ever seen, calling it \"a profound gift to the world.\"
Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, noted that \"DeepSeek has largely replicated OpenAI-o1-mini and has open-sourced it,\" highlighting the significance of making such advanced technology accessible to all.
Jim Fan, a senior research manager at Nvidia, remarked that DeepSeek is a \"non-U.S. company\" upholding the original mission of conducting \"truly open, frontier research that empowers all.\"
Yann LeCun, Meta's chief AI scientist, emphasized that DeepSeek's success does not signify \"China surpassing the U.S. in AI,\" but rather underscores how \"open-source models are surpassing proprietary ones.\"
Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China, expressed a sense of vindication, stating that the DeepSeek releases validate his belief in the Chinese mainland's potential to excel in generative AI engineering, despite skepticism from others.
DeepSeek CEO Emphasizes Innovation
In a July 2024 interview with 36kr.com, DeepSeek CEO Liang Wenfeng argued that the Chinese mainland must move beyond the stereotype of merely applying overseas innovations. As the country's economy grows, he stated, it should transition into a global contributor to innovation rather than relying on advancements from others.
Liang emphasized that innovation stems not only from the pursuit of business success but also from genuine curiosity. He also 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 told 36kr.com. \"But we can cultivate our own.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
