Tim Cook Praises DeepSeek’s AI Innovations in Beijing

Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke highly of the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup DeepSeek during the China Development Forum held in Beijing. He described the AI models developed by DeepSeek as "excellent," highlighting the startup's innovative contributions to the field of AI.

According to reports from SCMP, Cook acknowledged the advancements that DeepSeek has made, emphasizing how these innovations enhance efficiency in AI development. He noted that technological improvements that drive efficiency are aligned with Apple's commitment to seamlessly integrating advanced technologies into its products.

This endorsement of DeepSeek comes at a strategic time as Apple is preparing to launch Apple Intelligence into the Chinese market. This new service aims to harness the power of AI to improve user experiences.

DeepSeek has made significant progress in the AI sector, especially with the launch of its chatbot service application that utilizes the V3 large language model (LLM). This application gained notable recognition by becoming the most downloaded free app on the App Store on January 26, surpassing even OpenAI's ChatGPT.

The startup's rapid development capabilities have drawn attention, particularly its ability to create the cost-efficient R1 model in just two months with an investment of $5.6 million. Such a quick turnaround has sparked discussions about the role of large-scale GPU investments in AI development.

Apple's strategy for AI focuses on a hybrid approach that combines on-device processing with cloud-based solutions. This means that simpler tasks can be performed locally on devices equipped with custom silicon chips, while more complex operations are handled through partnerships with cloud-based AI providers like OpenAI. Currently, Apple is collaborating with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT to assist iPhone users through a private cloud.

Despite advancements in technology, Apple faced challenges in the Chinese market, with smartphone shipments declining by 25% in the fourth quarter. This decline was attributed to growing competition from domestic brands such as Huawei, Vivo, and Xiaomi. For the entire year, Apple’s shipments in China decreased by 17%, totaling 42.9 million units, placing it behind competitors like Vivo and Huawei.

Looking ahead, Apple plans to introduce Apple Intelligence in multiple languages, including simplified Chinese, which is set to launch in April alongside the newest version of iOS.

AI, technology, innovation, DeepSeek, Apple