The Chinese AI app that has the world talking

DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) application, has rapidly gained global attention since its release on January 20, 2025. Developed by the Chinese startup of the same name, DeepSeek quickly ascended to the top of the Apple App Store’s free download charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom, surpassing established AI models like ChatGPT.

One of the most remarkable aspects of DeepSeek is its development efficiency. The company claims to have created its AI model, DeepSeek-R1, at a fraction of the cost incurred by its competitors. This was achieved by utilizing only 2,000 specialized chips, compared to the 16,000 typically required for similar models. This efficiency has not only impressed industry experts but also raised concerns among U.S. tech companies about maintaining their competitive edge