All right, so today we're diving into something
pretty fascinating, I think.
It's China's AI scene,
and specifically this company DeepSeek
that's really making waves as a potential rival
to the big players like OpenAI and their chat GPT.
And for this deep dive,
we're really trying to just get a handle
on who the players are, what the tech looks like,
and what it all might mean for everyone.
And our main source for this deep dive
is this piece called China's DeepSeek D-throne's
chat GPT US worst nightmare.
Okay.
So as you can tell from that title,
it's a very strongly worded piece.
It is a strong opinion, yeah.
You know, the AI world changes so fast,
it feels like just yesterday OpenAI's chat GPT
was the only game in town,
revolutionizing everything practically overnight.
It really was, the game changer.
I mean, you've got Goldman Sachs using AI now
to write up entire IPO prospectuses in minutes.
Wow.
Things that used to take weeks,
and now it's just poof, done.
Yeah.
It's both incredible and a little bit,
you know, what does this mean for the future of jobs?
Exactly, that's the big question, isn't it?
AI's potential for boosting efficiency is undeniable.
But it definitely raises concerns
about potential job displacement.
We're only just beginning to understand
the wider societal impact of these advancements.
And into this already like rapidly changing world,
comes DeepSeek, this Chinese startup
that seems to have come out of nowhere.
And their DeepSeek R1 model
can handle incredibly complex tasks,
things like advanced math and coding.
Right.
And it's already performing at a level
comparable to chat GPT.
It is, it's impressive.
Well, it's really crazy,
as they seem to have developed this
in a fraction of the time.
Yeah.
And at a tiny fraction of the cost.
That's the detail that has everyone buzzing.
The reports suggest DeepSeek developed R1
for something like $6 million.
Yeah.
To put that in perspective,
OpenAI's annual budget is $5 billion.
That's a difference of about 800 times cheaper.
Oh my gosh.
It's no surprise that people are paying attention.
Really, it's like a classic David and Goliath story,
but in the world of cutting edge AI,
and it gets even wilder.
DeepSeek's model is incredibly energy efficient.
Oh, wow.
They don't need as many of those power hungry
NVIDIA GPUs, which are essential for AI training.
Yeah.
That's good news for both the environment
and their operating costs.
This is especially noteworthy,
given the Biden administration's limitations
on the sale of those very same NVIDIA chips to China.
Right.
The fact that DeepSeek can innovate and thrive,
despite these restrictions,
is a pretty clear sign of their capabilities.
And then there's the fundamental difference
between the two companies.
Okay.
Open source versus closed system.
DeepSeek R1 is completely open source licensed
under the MIT license,
which essentially means anyone can use it, modify it,
even sell it commercially, all for free.
Sure.
ChatGPT, on the other hand,
operates within a tightly controlled closed system
owned by open AI.
Right.
That's a pretty huge difference in philosophy.
It is DeepSeek's open source approach
really promotes collaboration and transparency.
Yeah.
Allowing for rapid innovation.
It's a direct challenge to the current dominance
of closed AI systems.
So what does all of this mean?
Well, our source article with that pretty dramatic title
argues that DeepSeek's emergence is a turning point
in the ongoing tech competition between the US and China.
It's certainly a development that shouldn't be ignored.
The US security apparatus has been expressing concerns
about China overtaking the US and AI capabilities
for a while now.
Right.
And DeepSeek's quick rise just adds more fuel to that fire.
This also highlights the different strategies
that two countries are using.
Yeah.
The US largely depends on private companies
to lead AI innovation,
while China has been using centralized planning
and government funding to push things forward.
Yeah.
It's a clash of ideologies playing out
on the global stage of technology
and the stakes couldn't be higher.
The country that takes the lead in AI
will likely have a massive influence
on the global balance of power over the next few decades.
It's a lot to consider.
Absolutely.
It's like we're watching a high stakes chess match play out.
Yeah.
And DeepSeek just made a very bold move.
But as with any new player entering the game,
there are still questions about their staying power.
What do you think are some of the biggest challenges
DeepSeek might face?
One major challenge could be access to data.
China's internet has significant restrictions in place,
which limits how much data Chinese companies
can use to train their AI models.
So even though they've accomplished some incredible things
with the data they do have access to,
could those limitations eventually hold them back?
Potentially.
Yeah.
It's certainly something to watch closely.
It really does.
It makes you think about, will we see more AI companies
taking the sort of leaner, more efficient approach?
It's certainly fascinating.
It is.
And speaking of fascinating developments,
let's dig into this open source versus closed system.
OK.
Debate a bit more.
You touched on some of the implications earlier,
but I'm curious to get your take on how this difference
in philosophy could impact the future of AI development.
It's a fundamental shift.
And I think it has the potential to be truly transformative.
Sure.
DeepSeek's decision to make R1 open source
is essentially like a challenge.
To the established model of AI development,
where companies keep their code and algorithms tightly
under wraps.
It's like they're saying, hey, let's all work together
on this, which sounds great in theory,
but I imagine some people are skeptical.
What are the potential downsides to this approach?
There are definitely valid concerns.
One of the biggest is the potential for misuse.
If anyone can access and modify the code,
there's always the risk that it could be used
for malicious purposes, like developing autonomous weapons
or creating even more sophisticated surveillance
systems.
That's a sobering thought.
It seems like we're entering uncharted territory here,
and we need to start thinking about how to navigate these
ethical and societal implications.
Absolutely.
The rapid pace of AI development is both exciting and daunting.
It's crucial that we as a global community
engage in open and honest discussions about these issues.
We need to find ways to balance the incredible potential
of AI with the need for responsible development and use.
It's a lot to consider.
And it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale
and complexity of it all.
But I think it's important to remember
that we all have a role to play in shaping the future of AI.
It's not just up to governments and tech companies.
It's a conversation that needs to involve everyone.
I completely agree.
We need diverse perspectives and voices at the table
to ensure that AI is developed and used in a way that
benefits all of humanity.
That means having conversations like this one
where we can explore the complexities,
weigh the potential benefits and risks,
and ultimately make informed choices about the future
we want to create.
So where do we go from here?
What are the most important questions
we should be asking ourselves as we move forward
in this brave new world of AI?
There are so many.
But I think one of the most pressing
is how do we ensure that AI development prioritizes
human well-being and societal good?
It's easy to get caught up in the hype
and the technological advancements.
But we need to remember that AI is a tool.
And any tool, it can be used for good or for ill.
That brings us back to DeepSeek's decision to go open source.
They're essentially betting on the idea
that collaboration and transparency
will lead to more positive outcomes for AI development.
Do you think you're right?
It's a gamble for sure.
But it's a gamble that I find incredibly hopeful.
By making their technology accessible to everyone,
DeepSeek is inviting the world to participate
in shaping the future of AI.
They're saying that this isn't just about profit or dominance.
It's about working together to unlock
the incredible potential of AI
to solve some of the world's most pressing problems.
It's a powerful vision.
And it's one that I think resonates deeply with many people.
But it's also important to acknowledge
that open source isn't a magic bullet.
There are still challenges and risks to consider.
Exactly.
Open source doesn't automatically guarantee
ethical development or responsible use.
We still want to be vigilant about potential misuse
and we need to develop strong ethical frameworks
and guidelines for AI development and deployment.
So it's not just about making the technology open.
It's also about fostering a culture of responsibility
and collaboration within the AI community.
That's exactly right.
We need to create an environment where developers,
researchers, policymakers, and the public
can work together to ensure that AI is developed
and used in a way that benefits everyone.
This is a collective effort.
And it's one that requires open dialogue,
critical thinking, and a shared commitment
to creating a better future.
It's a tall order, but it's one that we can't afford to ignore.
The stakes are simply too high.
And that brings us back to you, our listener.
What are your thoughts on all of this?
What hopes and concerns do you have about the future of AI?
We'd love to hear your perspective.
Let's keep this conversation going.
Your insights and ideas are invaluable as we navigate
this rapidly evolving landscape.
Now, there's another crucial aspect of this depth seek
story that we need to address.
It's something that often gets overlooked
in the excitement surrounding their open source model.
And it could have a significant impact
on their long term success.
Well, you're talking about the data access issue, right?
It is. It's a potential problem for them.
They've got this incredible tech.
But will they be able to feed it with enough information
to really grow and keep up?
Exactly.
And speaking of information, let's
circle back to that provocative question we posed earlier.
Will deep seeks open source model ultimately
accelerate global AI development?
Or will these data access limitations
be a major roadblock for Chinese AI advancement?
It's tough to say for sure.
On the one hand, deep seeks approach
really could democratize AI technology
and encourage global collaboration.
But then you've got these internet restrictions in China
that could make it harder for them to train their models
and keep pace with the competition.
It's a tough spot for them to be in.
They've made such incredible progress.
But can they keep that up in the long term?
We'll have to wait and see.
It's going to be really interesting to watch
how this all plays out.
It will.
And I think it's a reminder that AI development isn't
just a technological race.
It's a geopolitical one too.
The choices that governments and companies
make about things like data access regulation
and collaboration are going to have a huge impact
on the future of AI.
They really will.
It's playing out right now with the US-China tech rivalry.
Both countries see AI as a strategic priority.
And they're really battling it out
for leadership in this field.
DeepSeek's emergence is a pretty clear sign
that China is a serious contender.
It is.
And it's forcing the US to kind of set up their game.
For sure.
So where does this leave us?
What are the key takeaways for our listeners
as we wrap up this DeepSeek deep dive
and our look at the future of AI?
I think the big takeaway is that the AI landscape is changing
fast.
And we're only starting to grasp what these changes really
mean.
DeepSeek's story is a perfect example of this.
It shows the potential for both innovation and disruption,
how important data access and regulation are,
and the complex global forces at play.
It also reminds us that AI is a powerful tool.
It is.
It could help us solve some of the world's biggest problems,
but it also poses serious risks.
Yeah.
If it's not developed and used responsibly.
Exactly.
So as we move forward, we have to stay engaged.
Keep asking those tough questions.
Absolutely.
And demand transparency and accountability
from the people developing and using AI.
We have to think critically about the potential consequences,
both good and bad.
And we have to work together to make sure AI is used for good,
not for harm.
The future of AI isn't set in stone.
We're creating that future through the choices we make.
That's right.
Let's make sure we're building a future that
works for everyone.
Well said.
And on that note, we'll wrap up this episode of the DeepDive.
Thanks for joining us on this journey into the world of AI.
And we'll see you next time for another DeepDive
into a fascinating and thought-provoking topic.