DeepSeek, a Chinese AI platform, has surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT in download rankings on the Apple App Store in the US, achieving this feat within just a week of its launch, as reported by The Spectator Index. This undoubtedly marks a significant challenge to the already established AI leaders such as OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft.
Developed by the Hangzhou-based startup DeepSeek, the DeepSeek R1 is an advanced large language model aimed at improving reasoning and analytical abilities. The model utilises a hybrid architecture that combines reinforcement learning with chain-of-thought reasoning. DeepSeek offers two versions: DeepSeek-R1 and DeepSeek-R1-Zero, the latter providing unsupervised fine-tuning to enhance its reasoning capabilities.
Why is DeepSeek getting popular?
Social media buzz grew over the weekend with discussions comparing DeepSeek R1 to other AI models. Users have lauded its smooth performance on smartphones and its capability to tackle complex tasks, such as advanced mathematical computations. Additionally, DeepSeek has introduced compact versions of its R1 model, making it compatible with laptops and other devices.
Performance on a Budget:
- DeepSeek-V3 delivers performance comparable to other leading AI models.
- It was developed with a significantly smaller budget, addressing limitations on advanced hardware in China.
Cost Efficiency and Innovation:
- While most competitive AI systems demand billions of dollars, DeepSeek-V3 showcases the potential for creating powerful AI with limited resources.
- Its success emphasizes the importance of creative and resourceful approaches.
Open-Source Accessibility:
- DeepSeek-V3 is open-source, enabling global access for developers.
- It is particularly valuable for regions with limited financial resources for expensive AI tools.
DeepSeek’s engineers have reportedly achieved impressive results using far fewer specialised computer chips, essential for AI training, compared to their American counterparts, according to a report in The New York Times. These chips play a pivotal role in the technological race between the U.S. and China, with the U.S. enforcing export restrictions to safeguard its leadership in AI development. However, DeepSeek’s achievements demonstrate a potential unintended effect of these restrictions—spurring Chinese researchers to innovate using more accessible and limited resources.
Here’s how you can access DeepSeek
DeepSeek R1 is available via its chat interface at chat.deepseek.com. Developers can also integrate the model into their applications via the DeepSeek Developer Portal, using API keys for easy and efficient integration.
