Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has surpassed ChatGPT to become the top-rated free app on Apple's App Store in the US as of January 27, just two weeks after its launch. Released on January 10, the app's DeepSeek AI Assistant, powered by the DeepSeek-V3 model, has gained massive popularity.
According to app research firm Sensor Tower, DeepSeek AI developers claim that their DeepSeek-V3 model performs better than many open-source systems and competes with top-tier closed-source models worldwide.
A major shift in AI innovation
This milestone highlights China's growing strength in artificial intelligence, posing a challenge to the US's dominance in the field. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of US export controls aimed at limiting China's access to advanced chip technology and AI development.
Efforts to restrict China’s AI progress began in 2021 under the Biden administration, including banning US-made chips. However, China DeepSeek’s rapid success suggests these measures may not be as effective as intended.
Advanced tech behind DeepSeek
DeepSeek researchers revealed that the DeepSeek-V3 model was trained on Nvidia’s H800 chips, with training costs reportedly below $6 million. Despite being less advanced than the chips targeted by US export bans, the system achieved remarkable results.
This has led to skepticism within the US tech sector about the impact of these export controls, as DeepSeek AI continues to thrive.
What is DeepSeek?
Founded in 2023 in Hangzhou, DeepSeek is a rising player in the Chinese AI landscape. Unlike other Chinese firms, DeepSeek has achieved global recognition for creating a model that rivals or even surpasses leading US-based systems like ChatGPT.
Despite its sudden rise, little is known about the company itself, making it a powerful symbol of China's advancing AI capabilities. DeepSeek ChatGPT’s success has underscored China’s ability to innovate and compete in the global AI race.
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