DeepSeek, a mobile AI application developed in China, has overtaken OpenAI's ChatGPT to claim the top spot on the iPhone free app charts in both China and the United States. This achievement comes shortly after the company launched its reasoning model, DeepSeek R1.
The new 'DeepThink (R1)' mode allows users to view the app's 'thinking process' before responses are generated, enabling it to tackle complex logical and mathematical problems. 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 offers 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, allowing users with sufficient hardware to run it locally. For those with less powerful devices, scaled-down versions optimized for various hardware configurations are provided.
In addition to providing free access to its models, DeepSeek has published a research paper detailing the development of R1. This transparency enables other developers to replicate the process using their own training data, fostering innovation within the AI community.
The AI Community Reacts
The release of the R1 model has drawn significant attention from prominent figures in the AI industry. Marc Andreessen, venture capitalist and co-founder of Netscape, described DeepSeek R1 on social media 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,\" while Jim Fan, a senior research manager at Nvidia, praised DeepSeek as a \"non-U.S. company\" 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 highlights how \"open-source models are surpassing proprietary ones.\" He added that this development does not signify \"China surpassing the U.S. in AI,\" but rather underscores the power of open-source collaboration.
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 on Innovation in China
In a July 2024 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, Liang believes it should transition into a global contributor to innovation rather than relying on advancements from elsewhere.
Liang emphasized that innovation stems from genuine curiosity, not just the pursuit of business success. 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 said. \"But we can cultivate our own.\"
DeepSeek's rapid ascent to the top of the app charts and its commitment to open-source development signify a notable shift in the global AI landscape. By fostering innovation and collaboration, the company is positioning itself as a significant player in artificial intelligence, challenging established industry giants.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
