Chinese AI Innovation: The Emergence of DeepSeek

(ECNS) -- A new open-source AI model named DeepSeek is gaining global attention for its innovative approach to artificial intelligence. With a training cost that is only 1/18th of similar models, and a team size just 1/10th as large, DeepSeek has achieved comparable performance to leading AI systems, causing significant upheaval in the tech hub of Silicon Valley.

According to Chen Xiaoping, a professor at the University of Science and Technology of China and chairman of the AI Ethics committee under the Chinese Association for Artificial Intelligence, DeepSeek represents a landmark achievement in AI engineering innovation from China.

Historically, the trend in AI model development favored closed-source models that came with high costs. In contrast, DeepSeek’s combination of affordability and open-source access introduces a revolutionary shift that could reshape the global AI landscape. This signifies a substantial contribution from China to the worldwide AI development arena, as suggested by Chen.

Liu Zhiyuan, an associate professor at Tsinghua University's Department of Computer Science, has noted that DeepSeek has managed to break through the limitations of computing power thanks to its advanced algorithms. This achievement demonstrates that significant AI innovations can occur even with restricted computational resources, indicating broad possibilities for the future.

In 2024, the Chinese government included the “AI+” concept in its work report for the first time, signaling a commitment to advance and launch initiatives that will enhance future industries.

On a global scale, the Global AI Governance Initiative was proposed in October 2023, presenting China’s vision on AI development and governance.

As Chinese AI capabilities reach international standards, the nation is stepping into a new phase where AI technology is transforming various industry ecosystems. Foreign experts believe that DeepSeek’s open-source framework will increase accessibility to AI, leading to a surge in applications and innovations across diverse industries as operational costs decline.

Chen highlights that a pivotal next step for China's AI landscape is the large-scale adoption of AI technologies across different sectors. The “low-cost + open-source” model provides a unique opportunity for companies to drive high-quality development.

For instance, the automotive industry is rapidly evolving with smart vehicles becoming more integrated. He Xiaopeng, CEO of XPeng, predicts that AI will revolutionize the automotive sector over the next decade by transforming both hardware and software, ultimately establishing intelligent driving as a standard that is accessible to a broader range of consumers.

In the realm of online literature, AI technology is aiding writers in enhancing their narratives. A model implemented by China's large online literature platform, Yuewen, called DeepSeek-R1, assists authors in developing storylines and anticipating narrative outcomes effectively.

In the field of security, the 360 AI security model is adept at helping companies assess over 1,000 alerts daily with impressive accuracy, achieving an intelligence threat assessment accuracy rate exceeding 85 percent.

Liu asserts that significant achievements can still be realized even with limited resources. Humanity is on the verge of a groundbreaking intelligent revolution, with its peak approaching, marking an era that feels both imminent and attainable.

Chen emphasizes the importance of bolstering AI governance during the AI implementation process. There is a growing need to prioritize foundational research focusing on large-scale models and generative AI.

From technological advancements to effective industry empowerment, China is strategically utilizing platforms like DeepSeek to establish a new framework for global AI development.

AI, innovation, China