The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, held in Paris from February 10 to 11, gathered leaders and tech executives from over 100 countries to discuss the promotion and safe application of AI. A key highlight of the summit was the rise of Chinese large language models (LLMs), particularly DeepSeek, which is reshaping the global AI landscape.
A New Era in AI Development
DeepSeek has garnered global attention since its release, owing to its innovative \"low-cost algorithms + open source\" model. This approach diverges from the traditional \"high-investment computing power + closed source\" strategy, marking a pivotal moment in AI development. By prioritizing algorithmic innovation over sheer computational power, DeepSeek demonstrates that sophisticated AI capabilities can be achieved more sustainably and cost-effectively.
Historically, AI advancements have been driven by scaling laws that emphasize the need for massive computing resources. However, DeepSeek's strong reasoning capabilities and performance, achieved through smart optimization, challenge this assumption. This breakthrough not only reduces costs but also broadens the accessibility of AI technology, fostering more inclusive applications.
Transforming the Global AI Landscape
Amidst technology restrictions and the need for computing infrastructure upgrades, China is making significant strides through its independent open-source ecosystem and extensive AI applications. DeepSeek's emergence signifies a shift away from reliance on high-end chips, creating new opportunities for AI advancement worldwide.
In response to global developments, on January 21, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the Stargate AI infrastructure plan, backed by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. This initiative involves a $500 billion investment in next-generation AI infrastructure, including advanced data centers and energy facilities, marking the beginning of a new AI technology arms race.
The central debate in AI development now revolves around the relevance of the Scaling Law. If both computing power and algorithmic bottlenecks are overcome, a fundamental paradigm shift in AI development may be imminent.
The rise of DeepSeek and similar Chinese models is reshaping the global AI competitive landscape. Traditionally dominated by high-end chips and closed-source technologies, AI development has presented significant barriers to entry. However, DeepSeek's open-source approach and low computing costs are democratizing AI development, enabling more countries and companies to participate in the AI revolution.
This shift is particularly significant in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions and technology blockades. For instance, on January 13, the U.S. government imposed stricter regulations on AI chip exports, restricting China's access to advanced chips below 16nm. This policy, however, has inadvertently spurred domestic technological breakthroughs. On February 1, Huawei Ascend became the first Chinese AI chip to support DeepSeek models. Within a week, over 15 domestic AI chip firms announced compatibility with DeepSeek, accelerating China's AI computing independence.
DeepSeek optimizes compatibility with domestic chip instruction sets, supports local operating systems, and integrates with hardware acceleration. By collaborating closely with domestic chip manufacturers, DeepSeek enhances AI performance while promoting technological autonomy. This shift strengthens China's AI industrial chain and ensures greater information security.
Reference(s):
Chinese LLMs lead the reconstruction of AI development paradigm
cgtn.com
