DeepSeek Overtakes ChatGPT in iPhone App Charts: A New Chapter in AI Innovation
DeepSeek, a mobile AI application developed in China, has surged past OpenAI's ChatGPT to claim the top spot on the iPhone free app charts in both China and the United States. This milestone follows the recent launch of its \"reasoning model,\" DeepSeek R1, signaling a significant shift in the AI landscape.
When users engage the \"DeepThink (R1)\" mode, DeepSeek unveils its \"thinking process\" before delivering responses, enabling the app to address complex logical and mathematical challenges. According to the company's official website, the R1 model's performance rivals that of OpenAI-o1 while operating at approximately one-thirtieth of the cost.
The app and its web-based chatbot are currently free for general users, with fees applying only to API calls for developers. In a move towards accessibility, DeepSeek has made its full-size model available for free download, allowing individuals with adequate hardware to run it locally. For users with less powerful systems, the company provides scaled-down versions optimized for a range of devices, from ultra-thin laptops to high-performance gaming rigs.
Going a step further, DeepSeek has published a research paper detailing the development of R1, enabling other developers to replicate the process using their own training data. This open approach has sparked considerable interest and discussion within the AI community.
Resonance in the AI Community
The release of the R1 model has elicited strong reactions from leading figures in the AI industry, highlighting the significance of DeepSeek's advancements.
Marc Andreessen, venture capitalist and co-founder of Netscape, praised DeepSeek R1 on social media platform X.com as \"one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs\" he has witnessed, describing it as \"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,\" emphasizing the impact of making such technology widely available.
Jim Fan, a senior research manager at Nvidia, acknowledged DeepSeek as 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, commented that DeepSeek's success underscores how \"open-source models are surpassing proprietary ones,\" rather than indicating any one country surpassing another in AI capabilities.
Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China, expressed validation for his belief in China's potential to excel in generative AI engineering, stating that the DeepSeek releases affirm his confidence despite previous skepticism.
DeepSeek CEO Advocates for Chinese Innovation
In an interview with 36kr.com in July 2024, DeepSeek CEO Liang Wenfeng emphasized the importance of China evolving from a user of foreign innovations to a global contributor in technological advancements. He argued that as China's economy expands, the nation should transition into a source of innovation rather than relying on the progress of others.
Liang highlighted that true innovation is driven not just by the pursuit of business success but also by genuine curiosity and the desire to explore new frontiers. He revealed that the DeepSeek team comprises young talent and that the development of the company's earlier V2 model did not involve any overseas contributors.
\"Perhaps the top 50 talents in this field are not in China,\" Liang stated. \"But we can cultivate our own.\"
Looking Ahead
DeepSeek's rapid ascent in the app charts and its commitment to open-source development signal a new chapter in the AI industry. By making advanced technology more accessible, DeepSeek is fostering innovation and encouraging collaboration across the global AI community.
As the AI landscape continues to evolve, developments like DeepSeek's R1 model highlight the dynamic nature of technological progress in Asia and its growing influence on global affairs.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
