Cyber Attack Disrupts Chinese Tech Startup DeepSeek

DeepSeek, a Chinese tech startup making waves in the AI industry, reported on Monday that it had fallen victim to a cyber attack that disrupted users’ ability to register on its platform. However, the company clarified that registered users could still log in to their accounts normally.

AI Model Gains Global Attention

DeepSeek gained significant attention last month when it unveiled a new artificial intelligence model that it claimed rivaled the best from U.S. companies, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The startup touted its AI’s efficiency, particularly in its use of expensive Nvidia chips to train the system on massive data sets, making it a cost-effective alternative to similar U.S. models.

Rise in Popularity Amidst AI Competition

The startup’s chatbot gained further popularity when it was made available on both the Apple and Google app stores earlier this year. By Monday, DeepSeek’s AI assistant had become the No. 1 most downloaded free app on Apple’s iPhone store, marking a major milestone in the company’s growth. This surge in popularity has sparked debates about the ongoing competition between the U.S. and China in developing advanced AI technologies.

Concerns Over Chinese Competition in AI

While DeepSeek’s rise has garnered attention, some U.S. tech industry observers have expressed concerns about the implications of a Chinese startup rapidly catching up with American leaders in generative AI, especially at a fraction of the cost. This development is fueling discussions about the future of AI development and the global tech race.

DeepSeek’s Founding and Growth

Founded in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, DeepSeek made its debut in the AI space by releasing its first large language model later that same year. The company’s swift ascent has positioned it as a major player in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence.