DeepSeek: China’s Top AI Chatbot Surpasses ChatGPT as the Best Free App on US App Store

DeepSeek: China’s Top AI Chatbot Surpasses ChatGPT as the Best Free App on US App Store
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DeepSeek Overtakes ChatGPT: A New Contender in AI

In a remarkable turn of events, DeepSeek, a China-based AI startup, has rapidly ascended to the top of the US App Store rankings just two weeks following its official launch. Surpassing established giants like ChatGPT in multiple countries, this milestone ignites discussions about the competitive landscape of artificial intelligence on a global scale. According to Sensor Tower, an app analytics firm, the popularity of DeepSeek’s platform is soaring.

The DeepSeek-V3 Model: A Game Changer?

DeepSeek’s success stems from its innovative DeepSeek-V3 model, which the startup asserts is superior to the most advanced AI models available globally. Founded in 2023 by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek reportedly utilized 2, 048 NVIDIA H800 chips along with a budget of less than $6 million to develop its model, which boasts an impressive 671 billion parameters. This expenditure is significantly lower than the investments made by industry behemoths like OpenAI and Google.

Implications of US Export Controls on AI Development

This development raises pertinent questions regarding the effectiveness of recent US government restrictions that limit the export of advanced semiconductors to China, crucial for training sophisticated AI systems, including ChatGPT and DeepSeek. Preceding the Trump administration, the Biden administration implemented stringent regulations to curb China’s AI progress.

Despite these barriers, DeepSeek appears to have leveraged less advanced chips to successfully train its models, a point that some industry experts are scrutinizing concerning the validity of the company’s claims about the technology and training costs involved.

DeepSeek’s Distinction in a Crowded Market

While other Chinese tech firms, such as Baidu, have ventured into AI advancements, DeepSeek’s swift success in the US market differentiates it from its competitors. Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen recently remarked on social media, “DeepSeek R1 is one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs I’ve ever seen — and as open source, a profound gift to the world.”

Impact on the Tech Industry

As DeepSeek continues to gain traction, its influence is being felt throughout Silicon Valley, prompting tech investors to reassess their portfolios. Notably, there have been significant sell-offs leading to declines in stocks of major AI players, such as NVIDIA and Oracle.

Source: Reuters

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