DeepSeek: The open-source AI rival giving OpenAI a run for its money
Logos of the Chinese app DeepSeek (L) and US app ChatGPT displayed on a mobile phone, in Paris, on 28 January 2025.
JOEL SAGET / AFP
Daily TribuneLogos of the Chinese app DeepSeek (L) and US app ChatGPT displayed on a mobile phone, in Paris, on 28 January 2025.
JOEL SAGET / AFP
A new AI challenger has emerged, shaking up the artificial intelligence landscape in a way few expected. DeepSeek, a Chinese-developed AI model, has skyrocketed in popularity, even topping the Apple App Store. What sets it apart is its ability to compete with the likes of OpenAI’s ChatGPT — despite being built with a fraction of the resources.
Unlike the billion-dollar investments that power ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, DeepSeek’s development team claims to have spent less than $6 million on computing power to train their model. This affordability has shattered the assumption that only the biggest tech giants can lead in AI innovation.
Perhaps the most significant advantage of DeepSeek is its open-source nature. While OpenAI keeps its most powerful models behind a paywall, DeepSeek R1 is available for free. Users can download and run it locally, addressing privacy concerns that have long been associated with cloud-based AI.
DeepSeek’s rise has already rattled the US tech industry. Nvidia, the dominant chipmaker fueling the AI boom, suffered a historic $600 billion market cap loss as its shares plunged 17%. Meanwhile, Alphabet and Microsoft saw their stock prices decline by 4.03% and 2.14%, respectively. Even former US President Donald Trump weighed in, calling DeepSeek’s success a “wake-up call” for American AI companies.
While OpenAI’s ChatGPT remains the superior choice for conversational abilities, creative writing, and up-to-date news, DeepSeek has an edge in more technical areas. Early users have noted its strength in mathematics, logical reasoning, and coding — critical skills for businesses and developers.
What makes DeepSeek even more appealing is its accessibility. OpenAI charges $20 per month for full access to ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities, whereas DeepSeek is free for most users. For companies looking to integrate AI via API access, the cost savings could be significant, making DeepSeek a compelling alternative.
Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged DeepSeek’s potential, calling it “impressive” while emphasizing his company’s focus on greater computing power. He assured users that OpenAI would soon release improved models, adding, “It’s invigorating to have a new competitor!”
DeepSeek’s emergence hasn’t been without controversy. As a Chinese-developed AI, it is subject to government regulations. Users have discovered that the chatbot avoids topics like the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre and occasionally delivers responses that align with government narratives. While some users have found workarounds, this raises concerns about censorship.
Additionally, DeepSeek’s privacy policy states that user data is collected and stored on secure servers in China. The company monitors interactions to improve its technology, a practice that may not sit well with those who prioritize data privacy.
DeepSeek’s rapid ascent signals a shift in the AI landscape. With a powerful open-source model available at no cost, OpenAI faces real competition for the first time. If DeepSeek continues to refine its capabilities while maintaining affordability, it could become the go-to AI tool for businesses and developers worldwide.
The AI race is far from over, but one thing is clear — DeepSeek has proven that innovation isn’t just reserved for the tech giants with the deepest pockets.