DeepSeek Overtakes ChatGPT to Top iPhone App Charts
In a significant milestone for artificial intelligence, DeepSeek, a mobile AI application developed by a Chinese team, has surpassed OpenAI's ChatGPT to claim the number one spot on the free app charts for iPhone users in both China and the United States. This achievement follows the recent launch of DeepSeek's \\"reasoning model,\\" known as DeepSeek R1.
Advancing AI with Reasoning Capability
DeepSeek R1 introduces a unique \\"DeepThink (R1)\\" mode that showcases the application's \\"thinking process\\" before generating responses. This feature enables the AI to tackle complex logical and mathematical problems, enhancing user experience by providing transparency in its reasoning. According to DeepSeek's official website, the R1 model's performance is \\"on par with\\" OpenAI-o1, yet it operates at roughly one-thirtieth of the cost of its competitor.
Accessible and Open AI Models
The mobile app and web-based chatbot are available free of charge for general users, with only API calls for programmers requiring payment. Demonstrating a commitment to open-source principles, 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 systems, from ultra-thin laptops to high-performance gaming rigs.
Additionally, DeepSeek has published a research paper detailing the development process of R1. This transparency enables other developers to replicate and build upon their work using their own training data, fostering innovation within the AI community.
Global AI Community Reacts
The release of the R1 model has generated significant attention and praise from prominent figures in the AI industry.
Venture capitalist and Netscape co-founder Marc Andreessen 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 AI, remarked that \\"DeepSeek has largely replicated OpenAI-o1-mini and has open-sourced it,\\" highlighting the impact of their contribution to the open-source community.
Jim Fan, a senior research manager at Nvidia, noted that DeepSeek is a \\"non-U.S. company\\" upholding the mission of conducting \\"truly open, frontier research that empowers all.\\"
Yann LeCun, Meta's chief AI scientist, emphasized that DeepSeek's success illustrates how \\"open-source models are surpassing proprietary ones,\\" shedding light on the evolving landscape of AI development.
Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China, expressed satisfaction, stating that DeepSeek's achievements validate his belief in China's potential to excel in generative AI engineering.
DeepSeek's Vision for Innovation
In a July 2024 interview with 36kr.com, DeepSeek CEO Liang Wenfeng emphasized the importance of China moving beyond the stereotype of merely applying foreign innovations. As the nation's economy grows, Liang asserted, China should transition into a global contributor to innovation, driven by genuine curiosity and a pursuit of knowledge.
\\"Innovation comes not only from the pursuit of business success but also from genuine curiosity,\\" Liang said. He revealed that DeepSeek's team consists of young talent and that the development of their earlier V2 model did not involve overseas Chinese contributors. \\"Perhaps the top 50 talents in this field are not in China,\\" Liang acknowledged, \\"but we can cultivate our own.\\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
