For the past 2 years, AI conversational models, such as ChatGPT and Perplexity AI– has transformed the way we search for information and setting the gold standard for natural language processing and business applications. Its widespread adoption has made it the go-to tool for marketers and businesses looking to leverage AI for customer interactions, digital marketing, and automation.
These days, however, a new contender is on the rise—DeepSeek AI. With its innovative technology, lower training costs, and growing popularity, DeepSeek is positioning itself as a serious competitor to ChatGPT. But what exactly is DeepSeek, and how does it compare? In this article, we’ll explore its features, the vision behind it, and the controversies that could shape its future in the AI landscape.
What is DeepSeek?
Deepseek AI is an advanced chatbot designed to rival industry leaders like ChatGPT. Developed by a Chinese AI company focused on developing powerful large language models (LLMs). Since its launch in July 2023, it has quickly made a name for itself with DeepSeek-R1, an advanced chatbot introduced in January 2025. Designed to rival top models like OpenAI’s GPT-4, DeepSeek-R1 delivers impressive performance, but at a fraction of the training cost.
Despite its growing popularity, Deepseek is banned in several countries (United States, Italy, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan) due to regulatory and security concerns. However, it remains accessible in Singapore and many other regions, making it a compelling AI tool for businesses looking for an alternative to the industry’s biggest players.
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Who is the Founder of DeepSeek?
Image from: https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3298367/deepseek-founder-liang-wenfeng-skips-paris-ai-summit-china-champions-its-global-role
Liang Wenfeng, the 39-year-old founder of Chinese AI startup DeeSeek, is a Chinese entrepreneur with a background in electronic engineering and a master’s degree from Zhejiang University. Before entering the AI industry, he co-founded High-Flyer Asset Management, a hedge fund that uses mathematical algorithms for trading instead of human analysis.
In 2023, Liang shifted his focus to artificial general intelligence (AGI) and established DeepSeek, aiming to develop AI models with broad problem-solving capabilities. His approach prioritises building original systems rather than expanding on existing technologies. He is also an advocate for greater transparency and collaboration, believing that it can accelerate progress in the field of AI.
What is Different About DeepSeek?
DeepSeek distinguishes itself from other conversational AI models such as ChatGPT through several key innovations:
1. Cost-Effective AI Training
DeepSeek trained its V3 model for approximately US$6 million (S$8 million), which is less than 10% of what was required for OpenAI’s GPT-4 in 2023. This significant cost advantage is largely due to the company’s strategic decisions to avoid reliance on high-end Nvidia chipsets, which face restrictions from trade regulations. Instead, they optimised the AI’s training process by using more affordable alternatives without compromising model performance, further contributing to its lower cost.
2. Open-Weight Models
Although not fully open-source, DeepSeek offers its models with “open weights,” a feature that allows developers to access the underlying model parameters. This level of transparency enables businesses to fine-tune the AI for their specific needs, allowing businesses to adapt and integrate AI into their diverse applications.
3. Strategic Industry Partnerships
Major Chinese platforms, such as Tencent’s Weixin app and Baidu, are actively partnering with DeepSeek to integrate its AI technology. Weixin, for instance, is currently beta-testing DeepSeek AI to provide an “AI Search” option, which aims to offer more intelligent and context-aware search results within the app. Meanwhile, Baidu, China’s leading search engine, has announced plans to fully integrate DeepSeek’s technology with its Ernie large language model. These collaborations demonstrate DeepSeek’s growing influence in China’s digital landscape, with major tech players increasingly relying on its AI to power real-world applications.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Sign Up & Use DeepSeek
Curious about what DeepSeek is all about? Here’s a concise guide to getting started:
Create an Account
Start by visiting DeepSeek’s official website, where you can choose to either access the web version or download the app. Clicking on “Start Now” will direct you to the Log In or Sign Up page, where you can easily create an account by providing the required information.
Explore the Interface
After logging in, you’ll be greeted by a user interface similar to ChatGPT’s and Gemini AI’s. You can enter your prompt into the chatbox, upload documents or images (for text extraction only), activate DeepThink (R1) for more advanced reasoning, and use the search function for quick access to relevant information.
Using DeepSeek for Conversations
To engage with the chatbot, enter prompts related to your business needs. For instance, inputting “Generate a marketing strategy for a new product launch” will yield a comprehensive plan tailored to your specifications. From our own experience trying out Deepseek AI, the quality of responses is comparable to other, more established AI models, showcasing little to no noticeable difference in performance. For writing purposes, the responses seemed to be less polished and less creative than the more established AI models.
Why Is Deepseek Banned in Some Countries?
While Deepseek remains accessible in SIngapore and many countries, it has been banned on certain devices in countries such as South Korea, Australia, and Taiwan. Additionally, several Japanese companies, including Toyota, Mitsubishi Heavy, and SoftBank Corp., have restricted access to DeepSeek for work-related purposes, citing potential data privacy and security risks. The following forms the main concerns about Deepseek.
Content Restrictions
There have been user reports indicating that DeepSeek’s models apply content restrictions in line with local regulations, avoiding or censoring responses on sensitive topics to ensure compliance with Chinese law. As a result, the platform falls short of responsible AI standards and raises concerns about the potential bias in the information provided by DeepSeek.
Data Privacy Concerns
The mobile application version of DeepSeek retains user prompts and responses in order to continually train and refine its AI models. While this practice can improve the quality of interactions, it raises significant data privacy concerns. Experts are uncertain about how much user data is retained, whether it is anonymised, and the extent to which it may be scrutinised by the company or government authorities, which could lead to potential privacy violations.
Key Takeaways
All in all, the rise of DeepSeek is something that every business should be keeping a close eye on. With its powerful AI capabilities and impressive cost-efficiency, it offers a new, powerful tool for businesses to enhance operations and drive innovation. While challenges like content restrictions and data privacy concerns must be navigated, the potential benefits are undeniable. As AI continues to shape the future of business, embracing technologies like DeepSeek could provide a competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
About OOm
OOm has been a leading digital marketing agency in Singapore since 2006, with expertise in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), social media marketing to website design and development. Our clientele comprises small and medium businesses (SMEs) to enterprises.
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