China’s new cheap AI DeepSeek sparks ALARM as it outperforms West’s models like ChatGPT amid race to superintelligence
China’s new cheap AI DeepSeek sparks ALARM as it outperforms West’s models like ChatGPT amid race to superintelligence
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CHINA'S cheap AI app DeepSeek has rocked the tech world by soaring past ChatGPT as the global race to superintelligence hots up. DeepSeek surged to the top of Apple's App Store in the UK, US and China after its launch on Trump's inauguration day, challenging America's crown as undisputed AI kings.
![[Illustration of the DeepSeek app icon on a smartphone screen.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-chinese-firm-deepseeks-artificial-967014023.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The blistering popularity has rattled tech experts and free-speech advocates, and was branded "AI's Sputnik moment" by Donald Trump's adviser Marc Andreessen. The software is fitted with sinister features, such as its refusal to answer certain political questions about China and its leader Xi Jinping.
![[Photo illustration of a phone displaying the DeepSeek AI chatbot.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/deepseek-logo-seen-mobile-screen-966975363.jpg?strip=all&w=960){kind=logo}
DeepSeek is a large language model that can generate human-like responses to prompts, just like the famous ChatGPT. The app is powered by AI software called DeepSeek-V3, which its researchers claim was developed for less than $6million. This is much less than the billions international competitors have spent on their own software, though the figure has been disputed by others in the industry.
![[a man in a suit and tie is waving his hand]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chinese-president-xi-jinping-waves-949236076.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The company boasted their app has "performance on par with" ChatGPT when it comes to maths, coding and writing responses. Andreessen warned: “Deepseek R1 is one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs I’ve ever seen.". AI models are powered by advanced chips, and since 2021 the US government has restricted the sale of these to China in order to stunt progress.
![[Illustration of the DeepSeek logo on a phone screen.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/illustration-titled-deepseek-suqian-jiangsu-966670398.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
