DeepSeek Surpasses ChatGPT to Top iPhone App Charts
DeepSeek, a mobile AI application, has overtaken OpenAI's ChatGPT to claim the top position on the iPhone free app charts in both the Chinese mainland and the United States. This significant milestone comes shortly after the Chinese developer 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. This feature enables the AI to tackle complex logical and mathematical problems, providing more transparent and insightful interactions.
According to DeepSeek's official website, the R1 model's performance is \"on par with\" OpenAI-o1, while its operational costs are approximately one-thirtieth of its rival's. The mobile app and web chatbot are currently free for general use, with only API calls for programmers requiring payment.
In a move that underscores its commitment to open-source development, DeepSeek has made its full-size model available for free download. Users with sufficient hardware can run it locally, and the company offers scaled-down versions optimized for devices ranging from ultra-thin laptops to high-performance gaming rigs.
Beyond providing free access to its models, DeepSeek has also published a research paper detailing the development of R1. This transparency allows other developers to replicate the process using their own training data, fostering innovation and collaboration within the AI community.
The AI Community Reacts
The release of the R1 model has sent ripples through the AI industry, drawing impressed reactions from prominent figures.
Marc Andreessen, venture capitalist and co-founder of Netscape, described DeepSeek R1 on X.com 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 on X.com that \"DeepSeek has largely replicated OpenAI-o1-mini and has open-sourced it,\" highlighting the significance of this achievement.
Jim Fan, a senior research manager at Nvidia, praised DeepSeek as a \"non-U.S. company\" that is 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 does not signify \"China surpassing the U.S. in AI,\" but rather underscores how \"open-source models are surpassing proprietary ones.\"
Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China, expressed a sense of vindication, stating that the DeepSeek releases validate his belief in the Chinese mainland's potential to excel in generative AI engineering.
DeepSeek CEO on Innovation
In a recent interview with 36kr.com, DeepSeek CEO Liang Wenfeng argued that the Chinese mainland must move beyond the stereotype of merely applying innovations from elsewhere. As the country's economy grows, he believes it should transition into a global contributor to innovation rather than relying on the advancements of others.
Liang emphasized that innovation stems not only from the pursuit of business success but also from genuine curiosity. He 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.\"
The rise of DeepSeek reflects a growing trend in the AI industry toward open-source models and collaborative development. As the technology continues to evolve, contributions from innovators across the globe are reshaping the landscape, offering new opportunities and challenges alike.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
