DeepSeek Surpasses ChatGPT as Top iPhone App Following R1 Model Release
A Chinese-developed mobile AI application, DeepSeek, has overtaken OpenAI's ChatGPT to become the number one free app on the iPhone App Store in both China and the United States. This significant achievement comes just days after the company launched its new reasoning model, DeepSeek R1.
When users activate the \"DeepThink (R1)\" mode within the app, it displays its \"thinking process\" before generating responses, 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, yet its operational cost is approximately one-thirtieth of its rival's.
The DeepSeek mobile app and web-based chatbot are currently free for general use, with only API access for programmers requiring payment. Moreover, DeepSeek has made its full-size model available for free download, allowing users with adequate hardware to run it locally. For those with less powerful devices, the company offers scaled-down versions optimized for a range of hardware, from ultra-thin laptops to high-performance gaming computers.
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.
Resonance in the AI Community
The release of the R1 model has sparked significant reactions from prominent figures in the AI industry. Marc Andreessen, venture capitalist and co-founder of Netscape, described DeepSeek R1 as \"one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs\" he has witnessed, 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.\" Jim Fan, a senior research manager at Nvidia, highlighted that DeepSeek, as a \"non-U.S. company,\" is upholding the original mission of OpenAI by 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.\" He remarked that this development is a testament to the power of collaborative innovation.
Kai-Fu Lee, the former president of Google China, expressed a sense of vindication, stating that DeepSeek's achievements validate his belief in China's potential to excel in generative AI engineering. Despite skepticism from others, he maintained confidence in the country's ability to lead in this field.
Cultivating Innovation in China
In an interview with 36kr.com in July 2024, DeepSeek CEO Liang Wenfeng argued that China must move beyond the stereotype of merely applying innovations from the United States. He stated that as China's economy grows, it should transition into a global contributor to innovation rather than relying on advancements developed elsewhere.
Liang emphasized that genuine curiosity is a driving force behind innovation. He revealed that the DeepSeek team consists 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.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
