DeepSeek: The AI app that has the world talking
AI assistant DeepSeek has rocketed to the top of the Apple app chart, sending shockwaves through the tech sector
AI assistant DeepSeek has rocketed to the top of the Apple app chart, sending shockwaves through the tech sector, with many praising the app for it's lightning-fast, highly logical responses and writing quality. This app has definitely taken the world by storm!
But is the app worth the hype and noise surrounding it?
Let's dive into what DeepSeek is, how you can get your hands on it and things to be aware of pre-usage.
What is DeepSeek?
DeepSeek is the name of a free AI-powered chatbot, which looks, feels and works very much like ChatGPT. It is a start-up founded by Chinese hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, following the release of its AI model DeepSeek R1. The model was reportedly built in just a few months, at a fraction of the cost of U.S. models such as ChatGPT and runs on less advanced chips, which was the first shock to the tech industry who believed that bigger and better A.I. would cost billions.
In a research paper released last week, the model’s development team said they had spent less than $6m on computing power to train the model – a fraction of the multibillion-dollar AI budgets enjoyed by US tech giants such as OpenAI and Google, the creators of ChatGPT and Gemini, respectively.
With Nvidia and Meta initially leading the way in AI, the introduction of DeepSeek has seen their share prices plummet. Nvidia, which holds a near-monopoly on producing the semiconductors that power generative AI, lost nearly $600bn in market capitalisation after its shares plummeted 17 percent.
In an interview with Chinese media outlet Waves in 2023, DeepSeek founder, Liang dismissed the suggestion that it was too late for startups to get involved in AI or that it should be considered prohibitively costly. He also spoke about how public papers and open-source code were widely available, and it is believed that he has used AI technology (alongside other free tools on the internet) that were given away by Meta in 2023 (Meta publicly released its A.I. technology so people can build their own chatbots)
Where can you download DeepSeek?
How To Use DeepSeek R1 on Computer
Here are the steps that you can follow to download DeepSeek on your computer.
Go to the DeepSeek R1 website; www.deepseek.com and log in using your email, Gmail, or phone number.
After logging in, you’ll be greeted with an interface similar to ChatGPT, allowing you to start using the AI immediately.
How To DeepSeek R1 on Mobile Devices
DeepSeek is available on both the Apple and Android stores as DeepSeek Assistant. It is currently the number one app, so it shouldn't be too hard to find.
Sign in with your email, Gmail, or other supported credentials.
The mobile app provides the same robust AI capabilities as the web version, ensuring a smooth experience across all devices.
Alternatively you can scan this QR code to be taken to the app store (both for Apple and Google Play)
Why Choose DeepSeek Over Copilot or ChatGPT?
While Copilot and ChatGPT are well-established AI tools, DeepSeek offers several unique advantages:
DeepSeek’s models and algorithms are open source, allowing for greater transparency and customisation. This is particularly beneficial for developers who want to modify and build upon the existing models.
DeepSeek-R1 has been designed to perform at a high level while requiring significantly less computational power compared to other models. This makes it a cost-effective option for many users.
Things to Be Aware of
While DeepSeek offers many benefits, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
As with any AI platform, it’s important to understand how your data is being used and stored. Make sure to review DeepSeek’s privacy policy and terms of use.
Being a relatively new player in the AI field, DeepSeek’s community and support infrastructure may not be as robust as those of more established platforms like Copilot and ChatGPT. This could impact the availability of resources and assistance.
Ensure that DeepSeek’s tools and APIs are compatible with your existing systems and workflows. While the platform is designed to be flexible, integration challenges can arise.
Final Thoughts
DeepSeek is a promising new tool in the AI landscape, offering a powerful, open-source model that is customisable, reliable and fast. It has the world talking as it has put China at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence. US President Donald Trump has announced the launch of a $500bn AI initiative led by OpenAI and has said DeepSeek should serve as a
Note: I am not re-inventing the wheel but sharing articles and content to help raise awareness of AI within the Health and Social care sector.
DeepSeek downfall... already?
I only posted this article two days ago, but in that time:
David Sacks, Trump’s AI and crypto “czar,” and OpenAI have confirmed there’s evidence that DeepSeek used OpenAI’s AI models to train R1, a process that violates OpenAI’s terms of service and equates to theft.
The US National Security Council is reportedly reviewing the security implications of using DeepSeek’s models, and the US Navy has banned the use of DeepSeek’s AI, citing “security and ethical concerns.”
Italy has filed a complaint related to how it handles data relating to GDPR laws as it feels “the data of many is at risk” and has highlighted that there are no details about how DeepSeek protects minors using its services.