AI Power Shift: Chinese Startup DeepSeek Surges to Top of Apple’s App Store
In a stunning upset, Chinese startup DeepSeek’s AI Assistant has overtaken rival ChatGPT to become the top-rated free application on Apple’s App Store in the United States. This remarkable achievement is powered by the DeepSeek-V3 model, hailed by its creators as a leader among open-source models and a rival to the most advanced closed-source models globally.
A New Era in AI
Since its release on January 10, DeepSeek’s AI application has experienced a surge in popularity among US users, according to app data research firm Sensor Tower. This milestone marks a significant shift in the AI landscape, challenging long-held views about US dominance in AI and the effectiveness of Washington’s export controls targeting China’s advanced chip and AI capabilities.
The Chip Factor
AI models like ChatGPT and DeepSeek rely on advanced chips to power their training. The Biden administration has been working to restrict the export of these chips to China, aiming to prevent their use in training Chinese firms’ AI models. However, DeepSeek researchers claim to have used Nvidia’s H800 chips for training, with a relatively modest investment of less than $6 million. While this detail has been disputed, the implications are clear: the effectiveness of tech export controls is being called into question.
A Small but Mighty Startup
Little is known about Hangzhou-based DeepSeek, founded in 2023. Yet, in a short span, the company has achieved what dozens of larger Chinese tech companies have not: earning praise from the US tech industry for its AI model’s performance, which matches or even surpasses that of cutting-edge US models.
A New Player in the AI Arena
DeepSeek’s success has significant implications for the global AI landscape. As the first Chinese AI model to gain recognition from the US tech industry, it marks a turning point in the development of AI capabilities. With its AI Assistant leading the way, DeepSeek is poised to make a lasting impact on the industry.
Leave a Reply