Chinese AI firm DeepSeek claims to have developed an open-source model, R1, that surpasses OpenAI’s o1 in math, code, and reasoning tasks, sparking debate on the future of AI development.
Dueling Chatbots: Chinese AI Firm Says Its Open Source New Model Is Beating OpenAI’s Most Advanced Publicly Released Model
A win for open source.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware that AI is developing at a breakneck pace. Early yesterday morning, a gleeful post on X-formerly-Twitter by Chinese AI firm DeepSeek announced a new model called R1 — a “reasoning” AI model which the outfit says is performing “on par” with OpenAI‘s o1, a splashy model released last month.
The Rise of Open Source AI
And unlike 01, DeepSeek R1 is open source, meaning hobbyists and researchers can tinker with it at home and even release their own versions. This approach allows for collaboration and innovation, as anyone has the legal rights to use, alter, and distribute DeepSeek’s software.
A Challenge to OpenAI
The reasoning model is said to narrowly edge out OpenAI‘s system in “math, code, and reasoning tasks.” If the claim holds up — a big “if,” since the results haven’t yet been independently verified — it’s an exciting milestone for a much smaller lab in the AI research space. This achievement pushes the boundaries of open AI development, which is currently dominated by deep-pocketed ventures like OpenAI and Apple.
A Mixed Bag
However, not everyone’s convinced that open source AI is the way forward; some argue that its development is often still connected to a for-profit business model. Professor of economics at University College London Cecelia Rikap argued that open source AI’s development is often used as a means to gain popularity and get people working for free.
A Win for Chinese Financiers?
DeepSeek is no exception, being a subsidiary of a Hangzhou-based hedge fund called High-Flyer. So on a certain level, yes it’s a win for the little guys. But on another, it’s a victory for Chinese financiers, not unlike Meta — which has also used open source development practices to fuel its rapid market climb.
The Future of AI
Only time will tell if the cheap new model will lead to equally egalitarian use cases for the advancement of all, or if it will be yet another investor’s footnote in the tech sector’s quest for profit. And in the AI horserace, OpenAI’s o3 is said to be prepping for launch.
