DeepSeek, a rising Chinese artificial intelligence startup, has stirred significant interest in the tech world with its latest release. The company unveiled a free, open-source large language model that reportedly surpasses OpenAI’s recent offerings in numerous third-party evaluations. Remarkably, DeepSeek developed this model in just two months and at a fraction of the cost incurred by its competitors. As the U.S. government considers imposing export restrictions on the firm, questions arise about the implications for global trade policies and technological innovation.
The reasoning model introduced by DeepSeek last week quickly gained popularity. Within days, it became the most downloaded free application on Apple's App Store in the United States. This surge in downloads underscores the growing demand for advanced AI solutions that are both accessible and effective. DeepSeek's AI chatbot, which uses the less-advanced Nvidia H800 chips, achieved this milestone before the U.S. expanded its ban on these components in October 2023.
Despite its success, DeepSeek faces potential scrutiny from U.S. authorities. Concerns center around the use of Nvidia chips, which may have breached export restrictions. Daniel Newman, an industry analyst, commented on the situation, stating:
"If DeepSeek had equipment that it shouldn't have, it could certainly lead to further investigation," – Daniel Newman
DeepSeek's founder, Liang Wenfeng, recently attended a closed-door symposium chaired by Chinese premier Li Qiang. This meeting, involving business leaders and experts, highlighted the strategic significance of AI development in China's economic agenda. Meanwhile, DeepSeek temporarily restricted new sign-ups to users with mainland China's phone numbers after a large-scale malicious cyberattack caused outages on its website.
The open-source nature of DeepSeek’s technology presents challenges for any potential U.S. enforcement actions. Paul Triolo, a technology policy expert, noted:
"It would, however, be challenging to pull the app off other platforms such as Github." – Paul Triolo
This issue raises broader questions about the feasibility of controlling digital innovations in an increasingly interconnected world. Former U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in on cost-effective approaches to technology development:
"Instead of spending billions and billions, you'll spend less, and you'll come up with, hopefully, the same solution," – Donald Trump