DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company that has recently garnered significant attention in the tech industry. Here are five key things to know about the AI waves in the tech world:
Powerful AI Model at Low Cost
DeepSeek has developed an AI model called DeepSeek-R1, which offers performance comparable to top Western models but at a much lower cost. The company claims it was built for under $6 million, significantly cheaper than its American counterparts.
Efficient and Accessible
Unlike many AI systems that require massive computational resources, DeepSeek-R1 runs efficiently on fewer chips. This lowers energy consumption and operational costs, making advanced Artificial Intelligence more accessible.
Rapid Global Adoption
After its release, DeepSeek-R1 became the most-downloaded free app on the U.S. iOS App Store, even surpassing ChatGPT. Experts say this signals a new era of AI competition between China and the West.
Privacy and Security Concerns
DeepSeek stores user data on servers in China, raising concerns about potential risks like surveillance, disinformation, and cyber threats. Some countries are scrutinizing its privacy policies.
Built-in Censorship
Analysts have found that DeepSeek’s AI avoids politically sensitive topics aligned with Chinese government policies. This includes blocking discussions on events like Tiananmen Square 1989 and human rights issues.
DeepSeek’s rise highlights both innovation and controversy—pushing AI forward while raising questions about privacy, ethics, and global AI competition.
