DeepSeek is a Chinese startup that is rapidly emerging as one of the leading players in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), challenging traditional global technological powers. Founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, an experienced financial entrepreneur, DeepSeek has focused on developing advanced AI models with the goal of offering innovative solutions at lower cost than western companies like OpenAI.
A startup with big ambitions
DeepSeek’s mission is clear: democratize artificial intelligence by making it accessible to a wider audience at a lower cost. The first big step was the launch of DeepSeek Coder in November 2023, an AI model designed for automatic programming. Soon after, the startup introduced a series of language models called DeepSeek-LLM, which stood out for their ability to understand and generate natural language with high precision.
Advanced technologies and cutting-edge AI models
In November 2024, DeepSeek unveiled one of its greatest innovations: the DeepSeek-R1-Lite-Preview. This model marked a new era for the startup, thanks to its ability to perform complex tasks of reasoning and problem-solving. The R1 has quickly become one of the most powerful and versatile open-source tools available on the market, with applications ranging from programming to complex information management.
In January 2025, DeepSeek launched a chatbot based on the DeepSeek-R1 model, which was a huge success. Available on iOS and Android, the chatbot quickly topped the download rankings of the App Store in the US, even beating ChatGPT from OpenAI, a result that has been surprising and interesting to the industry.
Cost efficiency: a challenge to tradition
One of the features that has made DeepSeek a benchmark in AI is its ability to develop powerful models with significantly lower investment than large technology companies. For example, DeepSeek was able to build its V3 model in just two months, with an investment of no more than $6 million, using Nvidia’s H800 chips. This has raised concerns among large US companies, which have begun to review their strategies for developing and spending on artificial intelligence.
Implications for the future of artificial intelligence
DeepSeek’s rapid rise is challenging the dominance of large AI companies in the United States and has created an atmosphere of uncertainty among investors and Wall Street companies. The more cost-effective and high-performance DeepSeek solutions are challenging the idea that creating complex AI models requires huge financial investments. In an industry where the AI race has often been marked by multi-billion dollar spending, the Chinese startup is showing that there are more efficient alternatives.
Conclusions
DeepSeek is rapidly emerging as a major force in the artificial intelligence industry. With its offer of advanced AI models at a lower cost than traditional competitors, the startup is not only challenging the development practices of large technology companies, But it is also changing the way we think about the democratization of artificial intelligence. Staying up to date on DeepSeek will be critical for anyone interested in how AI is shaping the future.
