A new contender in AI chatbot technology
DeepSeek is a free AI writing assistant app developed by DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup. Since its launch, it has quickly become the most downloaded app, surpassing established competitors like ChatGPT. This rapid ascent has garnered significant attention in the tech community. This chatbot app is available as an add-on or extension on mobile devices and browsers.
The success of DeepSeek since it was released is attributed to its advanced AI model, DeepSeek-R1, which delivers performance comparable to leading models although at a fraction of the development cost. This efficiency has disrupted the AI industry, leading to notable market reactions.
New competitor of established AI apps
DeepSeek's R1 model showcases impressive reasoning capabilities, effectively handling tasks such as answering questions, solving logic problems, and writing computer programs. With the use of this AI writing assistant app, users can access the chatbot via mobile apps, desktop websites, or third-party services, with account creation needed for full features. Although despite these strengths, it also shares common generative AI issues like hallucinations and moderation.
Additionally, this AI app lacks features such as a memory function and advanced voice mode, which are present in some AI chatbot competitors. This app has also raised concerns regarding data privacy, as it collects and stores user data on servers located in China. This practice has led to national security discussions in the U.S., drawing parallels to previous concerns over apps like TikTok.
However, the app exhibits signs of censorship, avoiding topics sensitive to the Chinese government. These issues have prompted calls for stricter controls over critical technologies and discussions about the implications of foreign-developed AI tools. Aside from this, the app’s development and operational policies are less transparent compared to Western AI companies, making it difficult to assess how the model is trained and what safeguards are in place.
A promising AI companion that could be improved
DeepSeek's innovative approach and rapid success highlight its potential to influence the AI landscape significantly. Its efficient development methods and free access model make it an attractive option for users seeking advanced chatbot capabilities. However, potential users should be mindful of the app's data practices and the broader implications of its use. As a newly launched AI chatbot app, it’s a promising one that could be developed.
